About Playworks Southern 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 Southern California


Founded in 1996, Playworks expanded to Southern California in 2009. Playworks Southern California serves low-income schools through our year-round, on-site support services. We’re also reaching thousands more students across Southern 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


September 22, 2017

Calvin Hamilton ›

Calvin “Coach Calvin” Hamilton started off as a program coordinator in 2014, serving as an AmeriCorps Coach at Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary in Watts. After his year of service with…

Glendy Playworker
Glendy Playworker

November 6, 2023

Glendy Ibarra ›

Glendy “Coach Coco” first came to Playworks as an AmeriCorps Coach in 2019 and served two years at Santa Ana elementary schools. As a coach, she quickly realized her love…

September 3, 2024

Evelyn Rodriguez ›

I’m serving as a veteran site coordinator and I am deeply passionate about working with the youth. I’m driven by the goal of creating a sense of belonging and community.…

Join the Team


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

Open positions