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.

Contact Us

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.

Meet our Service Partners

Learn about our Impact

Read the Playworks Equity Statement

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.

Our Core Values

core values graphic

Meet Our People


headshot of Bertina
headshot of Bertina

March 11, 2021

Bertina Denogean ›

Bertina “Coach B” Denogean came to Playworks as an AmeriCorps member in 2012. As an educator on the playground, Coach B thrived on the opportunity to make a positive and…

Jake headshot
Jake headshot

September 22, 2017

Jake Beaman ›

Jake started his Playworks journey as an AmeriCorps Coach in 2011 and has since worked throughout the Bay Area as a Playworks Coach, Site Coordinator, and Senior Program Manager. Jake…

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…

Join the Team


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

Open positions