About Playworks North Carolina
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 North Carolina
Founded in 1996, Playworks expanded to North Carolina in 2011. Playworks North Carolina serves low-income schools across the Durham area through our year-round, on-site support services. We’re also reaching thousands more students across North Carolina through professional development workshops for schools and youth organizations.
Our Core Values
Meet Our People


November 15, 2022
Maddie Derrick ›
Maddie Derrick graduated from Mercer University in 2019 with a degree in Sports Marketing and Analytics. While at Mercer, she worked her way up to the Program Assistant position for…


September 22, 2017
Janelle Averill ›
Janelle graduated with her degree in education in 2009, but quickly fell in love with the idea of spending her days on the playground teaching the power of play through…


November 30, 2022
Zoe Stevens ›
Zoe Stevens graduated from the University of Michigan with her degree in kinesiology and public health. She has a comprehensive background in research, looking particularly at childhood development and physical…