About Playworks Northern California

All kids deserve the social, emotional, and physical benefits of play. We help schools and youth programs create healthy play environments where every child can join in.

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Meet Playworks Northern California

Founded in 1996, Playworks expanded to Northern California in 2012. Playworks Northern California serves low-income schools across the San Francisco Bay Area through our year-round, on-site support services. We’re also reaching thousands more students across Northern California through professional development workshops for schools and youth organizations.

Learn about our Impact

Our Mission


Playworks’ mission is to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.

Our Vision


Playworks’ vision is that one day every child in America will have access to safe, fun, healthy play every day.

Meet Our People


Headshot of Sean
Headshot of Sean

October 15, 2025

Sean Keelan ›

Sean joined Playworks as an AmeriCorps coach in Baltimore, Maryland in 2011. His first days implementing Playworks strategies quickly confirmed his belief in the power of play. In the years…

Joe Herring
Joe Herring

August 30, 2021

Joe Herring ›

Joe came to Playworks bringing over fourteen years of experience working in education. He discovered his love for education while teaching at summer camps and found a home at Playworks…

headshot o Kira
headshot o Kira

March 4, 2024

Kira Magruder ›

Kira joins Playworks with a background in early childhood development, after-school programming, and donor relations. Kira leads with passion in supporting youth education both in the classroom and on the…

Join the Team


We’re hiring! Join us on the playground or behind the scenes.

Open positions