Healing Communities Through Play™ is a Play 4 ALL initiative that focuses on bringing residents and Law Enforcement Officers together to work cooperatively on designing and building play and fitness spaces that benefit the entire community. The gift of play provides children and families the opportunity to exercise, foster friendships and hone in on vital developmental skills. Play is a great equalizer that powerfully and neutrally reaches people.
Play 4 ALL and Cunningham Recreation launched this new social impact initiative called Healing Communities Through Play™ in Ferguson, Missouri. The pilot community build playground project brought together the City of Ferguson leadership including Mayor and Police Chief, St. Louis area Fraternal Order of Police, Ferguson Parks and Recreation Department, community youth and local residents all in a cooperative effort to build a playground, and bring the power of play to the Ferguson Community Center on September 29, 2016.
Play transcends boundaries and speaks to our universal humanity. Regardless of people's origin, race, socioeconomic status or ability, play bridges presumed differences and fosters connections. Play is a universal language that brings people together. What is fractured can be reassembled, stronger than before. It takes trust, goodwill, community service and a common vision built upon mutual respect. Cunningham Recreation and Play 4 ALL hope this project is the first of many more opportunities to use play as a tool for healing and mending relationships between law enforcement and area residents, and instilling a sense of mutual respect and trust.
For more information on how you can bring this initiative to your city to foster healing and reconnect your community, please call us at 800.438.2780 ext. 139 or email us at victoria@play4allcampaign.com.
