- What is the mission and top priority of your organization?
- KaBOOM! is a national non-profit dedicated to bringing play back into the lives of children. Our work in communities across the nation brings us closer to our vision of a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America.
Each year, KaBOOM! leads over 230 playspace builds to address the nationwide play deficit by increasing children’s access to playspaces and strengthening community bonds by creating communal gathering spaces for playmakers, young and old. We also provide online resources that engage individuals who’d like to build playspaces of their own, using our 13 years of experience to teach fundraising, recruitment and playground-building skills. Finally, with the KaBOOM! National Campaign for Play, we address policy issues and work with municipalities to increase and time, space and access to play for children
across the country. - What innovations are you employing during this challenging economic time?
- There are many things that have become too expensive for household budgets. Luckily, play is free. In this time of added economic challenge, KaBOOM! will continue to provide quality, free online tools and resources to organizations, families and individuals who want to bring play back into the lives of their children. The KaBOOM! Playspace Finder is an easy way to get your kids out on the playground for a day of fun. The KaBOOM! online toolkit and webinars allow individuals across the country to learn from our 13 years of experience, network with other project leaders and get inspired to change the face of play in
their community. - How do you communicate and motivate young people to get involved in community service?
- KaBOOM! has strengthened our online resources to reach thousands of people across the nation who would like to support the movement for play. Not only do we provide forums, tools and webinars on kaboom.org, we also connect individuals with groups on Facebook and Twitter. Our KaBOOM!-led builds also engage large numbers of young people, hosting volunteer groups from Americorps and Teach for America, as well as from local youth groups and schools.
- What are 3 simple things people can do to make a difference?
- Enter a playspace on the KaBOOM! Playspace Finder: Found at kaboom.org, the KaBOOM! Playspace Finder is a free, searchable directory that allows people to enter, search, and rate playspaces in their communities. It’s a great and easy way to get your kids outside and create positive changes in the state of play in your neighborhood.
- Become a Playmaker: The Playmaker Network empowers local advocates, deemed Playmakers, to take action for play in their communities by providing them with a platform to share efforts, acquire knowledge, and build a unified voice for play.
- Donate to KaBOOM!: Monetary donations, large or small, to KaBOOM! can help create safe places for kids to play across America. In 2007, five-year-old Kamilah Simone Bryant raised $1,000 to donate to “Operation Playground,” a KaBOOM! initiative to build 100 playgrounds in the areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
- If people are short on cash this Holiday season what are the alternatives for creating or continuing a tradition of giving?
- This holiday season, give the gift of your time to the children of your community. Organize a community playground clean-up or refurbishment to improve a lackluster playspace. Create a neighborhood playground watch-group to add safety to once deserted playspaces. Host a meet-n-greet with other folks in your community to talk about what projects you can take on in the coming year.
- What 3 words best describe your most amazing volunteers?
- KaBOOM! volunteers are leaders who are passionate and playful.
- Tell us about a volunteer in your organization who you consider a hero.
- Cynthia Gentry
Cynthia Gentry organized her Atlanta, GA community using the KaBOOM! online Toolkit. Once she started getting the word out about her playground project, local organizations quickly volunteered tools, services and funding to support her plans. Cynthia has since founded the Atlanta Task Force on Play and spearheaded the process that led to Atlanta’s recognition as a Playful City USA community.