From Strollers to College Applications: Homeless Children’s Playtime Project

It is well-documented that play is essential for children’s cognitive, physical, and emotional well-being both at home and at school. In addition, play can help young people recover from trauma, including the effects of homelessness. And yet, children most in need often have the least access to safe, productive play. So, in 2003, child advocate Jamila Larson and lawyer Regina Kline founded the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project to nurture healthy child development and reduce the effects of trauma among children living in temporary housing programs in Washington, DC.

Jamila Larson, co-founder and executive director, shares needs and resources with the Education Town Hall.

Current needs include 30 requests for strollers — it’s particular hard on homeless families to do without this temporary shelter — as well as volunteers for the upcoming service days, October 10 and 17; help build the new teen space at DC General Family Shelter. Volunteers and donations of many kinds are welcome as well. And the Project also provides a variety of resources for learning more about, and advocating for, trauma-sensitive play.

Full discussion on track 3 below —

The Education Town Hall broadcasts from Historic Anacostia in Washington, DC, Thursdays
at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on We Act Radio.
Listen live via TuneIn.
Shows are archived for convenient listening shortly after broadcast.

The Education Town Hall BUS is a monthly program
organized by BadAss Teachers, United Opt Out, and SOS March.
The program regularly airs on the 4th Thursday of each month.
SPECIAL DATE — OCTOBER 1, 2015 (no show, September 24, due to Papal Visit to DC)