About Playworks Pacific Northwest
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.
Meet Playworks Pacific Northwest
Founded in 1996, Playworks expanded to Pacific Northwest in 2009. Playworks Pacific Northwest serves low-income schools across the Portland metro area through our year-round, on-site support services. We’re also reaching thousands more students across Pacific Northwest through professional development workshops for schools and youth organizations.
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
September 9, 2022
Cali Hodge ›
Born and raised in Portland, Cali first started with Playworks in 2018 as an AmeriCorps Coach at Longfellow Elementary in San Francisco. After returning to the Pacific Northwest, Cali continued…
July 25, 2025
Amanda Kierszenblat ›
Amanda is the Engagement Specialist supporting a multi-region HUB including Arizona, Colorado, PacNW and Utah. She joined the Playworks team in 2023, and previously spent her career supporting other nonprofit…
September 1, 2022
Paige Evans ›
Paige was born and raised in Southern California and graduated from University of California, Riverside with a B.A. in English in 2013. She moved to Portland, OR in 2016 to…