THE PLAYGROUNDgr

11/12/2025

🔊 THE PLAYGROUNDgr is a part of GR Giving Day

This December 2, we’re joining nonprofits across Grand Rapids for a citywide day of giving - all about growing care, connection, and community right where we live.

THE PLAYGROUNDgr is a local nonprofit, who is committed to bridging the disparities of the racial, gender, culture, and socioeconomic gaps often found in caregivers/educational institutions and community based programing around the world of play. Play based support, therapy and awareness continues to be an evidenced tool that sharpens and supports, emotional health, mental health, trauma, grief and attachment. THE PLAYGROUNDgr is tasked with ensuring all members of our community have access to free or reduce rated play workshops, trainings, play based groups and play based therapy.

This Giving Day, you can help us grow even more good. 💛 Your gift will help us reach two goals in 2026:

📖 2,000 books, in support of our bibliotherapy book drive

🎨 3,000 paint/art based tools and canvases, in support of art supplies used in support of expression and healing.

Together, we will shift the stigma of therapy and play, all across Grand Rapids. Mark your calendar for December 2 - or give early to help us start strong, linked in comments.

11/11/2025

Today we honor! Join Executive Director Jacqueline Scherer and her family as they walk in the Annual Downtown Grand Rapids Veteran's Day Parade this evening at 6pm!

See you there! 🇺🇸

Learn more at: https://www.experiencegr.com/event/veterans-day-parade/95086/

11/10/2025

WOW, what a year it has been! We are devoting November to thankfulness, as we share our favorites from 2025! Join us in reflecting on the hundreds of neighbors who joined us for FREE PLAY at Grand Rapids Plays; Year 5.... Where over 300 neighbors joined on September 20 to PLAY.

Want to invest in free play for all? We would love to have you join us next year! Let's connect: jacqueline@theplaygroundgr.org

Special thank you to our sponsors LMCU, Experience Grand Rapids, AQUME Foundation, Congress Elementary and Uptown!

We can't wait to see our partners back for 2026, special thanks to Teknique Academy, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, Josh Dunigan, Tree School, Full Bloom Children's Mindfulness and Yoga, Family Futures, Grand Rapids Circus Project, and Latashia Perry.

Thank you 616 Media for capturing our story!

11/10/2025

Join us in welcoming THE PLAYGROUNDgr Volunteer Coordinator Jamie Masco to THE PLAYGROUNDgr Team!

This former GRPS Principal and current community advocate is creating change within every step she takes. Alongside her work in growing our Volunteer Community, Jamie pours in Girls Choral Academy and Artists in Motion, all mission that priotize expression and accessiblity for future community changers in our community.

We are proud to welcome JAMIE to our Team!

Want to learn more? Email her at Jamie@theplaygroundgr.org

11/10/2025

THE PLAYGROUNDgr honors 2024 and 2025 Board Member, Kim Childress for her passion and dedication to THE PLAYGROUNDgr mission. We are forever grateful for her service to our Board of Directors and excited to see what comes next for the future Dr. Childress!

THANK YOU KIM; you will be missed!

11/10/2025

Meet our Newest Board Member, Susan Clark! Susan comes with extensive knowledge and leadership experience. She is the Founder of Trauma Informed Philanthropy Consulting, LLC, Co- Founder of GR Lit Fest & the 2025 Heart of Gold Philanthropist Awardee.

When asked why she values the mission of THE PLAYGROUNDgr she shared, "The short answer is that play heals. The long answer is that as a parent I've seen the power of play. Learning, healing, connecting, and shared purpose is crucial for all, regardless of age. Healed people create less harm and less harm means less trauma. Healing through play is key to building a healthier community and breaking harmful cycles. Being able to support the community through play? What an absolute dream."

Check her local podast to learn more about her, her work and the ways she is ensuring Grand Rapids is a grand place to be!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-great-grand-action-based-community-conversations/id1795039344

We are thrilled to have Susan joining our THE PLAYGROUNDgr Board of Directors family!

Welcome Susan!

11/09/2025

THE PLAYGROUNDgr Volunteer Coordinator Jamie Masco, continues to spread the value of play within our community. Last night, she was the a Guest MC for Chair Affair, an experience hosted by Artists in Motion, a studio that ensures access to dance, art and expression for neighbors in our community!

Thank you Jamie for creating change and showing up for access!

👏 2025 THE PLAYGROUNDgr Play Expert of the Year and Duo MC Josh Dunigan and THE PLAYGROUNDgr, Executive Director Jacqueline Scherer joined in Arts of Motion's event as well!
It was a true Chair Affair! 🪑

11/06/2025

Where do you feel your feelings in your body? Today we explored somatic impacts!

Where do you feel your angry?

11/05/2025

THE PLAYGROUNDgr is thriled to be working alongside this years PLAY EXPERT OF THE YEAR, Josh Dunigan! Missed his grand performance at Play Soeil; Main Event? Check HIM OUT!

CONGRATULATIONS JOSH! You are changing the world one drum at a time!

11/05/2025

Bi lateral art is the perfect activity for a full moon..... Let's regulate on today's National Stress Awareness Day! 🌙

11/05/2025

Executive Director Jacqueline Bennett-Scherer joins State of the Child as a Committee Member and Expert Presenter!

Save the date ⏬️
https://www.wedgwood.org/sotc/

Join us for the annual State of the Child event & gain mental health insights from local teens, experts, & professionals. Engage in focused breakout sessions.

11/04/2025

📖 Join THE PLAYGROUNDgr Board Member Sara Acker in sharing a THE PLAYGROUNDgr curriculum book, "How Are You Peeling."

Why????? It’s November Reading Month — and THE PLAYGROUNDgr is celebrating with a purpose!

We’re launching our 2025 Book Drive to support our Healing Through Play Curriculum — bringing powerful stories of hope, healing, and connection to children and families across Grand Rapids.
Our goal: Collect 50 copies of each of our six featured books (six in English and two in Spanish) by the end of November 2025. Every story helps us bridge gaps, spark joy, and remind our community that play heals.

Watch special guest readers share one of our featured stories, then visit our Amazon Book Registry to see how you can help!
View the Book Drive Registry
Or simply scan the QR code below to join the movement

November 4 is National Book Lovers Day!

Check out Sara! ⏬️
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.youtube.com_watch-3Fv-3DScMeKZWD1PE&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=0yb_l38_dBIsHkXnMDqhjjUvb-KWqpb0ObUfQDvdQzY&m=xw5tbU61NHeE1y2TXqoDxbeoC9sH_gL-s6OwaNNu1u1seXZ1auuOqaneKo4qKFAv&s=OG9KFvwXD4p2ruT66BG-g_i2vAUe15XBvofUezW5O_o&e=