The Power of Play
The Power Of Play program is an opportunity for kids to experience creative and physical play.
The goal of “The Power Of Play” is to provide children with creative outlets that enhance their social and emotional growth while also strengthening their physical and mental well-being.
Details
First Responders Children’s Foundation “The Power Of Play” program is an opportunity for kids to experience creative and physical play. For 20 years, the Foundation has been focused on the social and emotional well-being of the children of first responders.
Now more than ever, these children are faced with undeniable stress—in the COVID and post-COVID world, schools have been closed, learning has been remote, and kids have had severely limited social interaction. This combination of challenges has taken its toll. Additionally, many of these same children experienced hardship and loss within their own families. “The Power of Play” can help to begin the process of healing that they need.
The goal of “The Power Of Play” is to provide children with creative outlets that enhance their social and emotional growth while also strengthening their physical and mental well-being. The benefits of play include gaining confidence, managing stress and anxiety, resisting negative social pressure, resolving conflicts, making appropriate decisions and developing relationship skills.
2021 Toy Distribution
- June 2 Douglass Houses, New York, NY.
- June 9 King Towers, New York, NY
- June 15Marcy Houses, Brooklyn, NY
- June 16 Tompkins Houses, Brooklyn, NY
- June 19 Boston Police Department, 295 Centre Street, Jamaica Plains, MA
- June 2Douglass Houses, New York, NY.
- June 9King Towers, New York, NY
- June 15 Marcy Houses, Brooklyn, NY
- June 16 Tompkins Houses, Brooklyn, NY
- June 19 Boston Police Department, 295 Centre Street, Jamaica Plains, MA
How We Work
”The Power of Play” was created to encourage children, first responder agencies and community leaders to engage—to be creative, to be imaginative, to disconnect from the screen and participate in creative individual activities as well as physical, outdoor health and wellness activities. We have also made a concerted effort to ensure that under-represented communities are included in the “The Power Of Play” program, so that the valuable benefits can reach everyone within a first responder community.
appropriate toys to all children, from infants to older teens. Toys include outdoor sports equipment—soccer balls, basketballs, skipping ropes, chalk and a variety of other supplies. Our program is based on research showing that creative and physical play will enhance a child’s cognitive and problem-solving skills. In addition to the listed outdoor sports equipment, we will also be sponsoring STEM activities and care packs to children.
Creating Opportunities for Young People Across New York City
More than 100 basketball courts and soccer fields are being revitalized and transformed across New York City as a gift to children from law enforcement, and the new play areas will be opening during the Spring and Summer of 2021.
“100 basketball courts and soccer fields in housing projects are being transformed, and that sends a clear message to the children of New York City that law enforcement values them” said Susan Birnbaum, President & CEO of NYC Police Foundation. “The NYPD is demonstrating to the children of New York that law enforcement is committed to their pursuit of happiness – not just with magnificent, new basketball courts and soccer fields, but also with sports equipment to use and enjoy.”
This program is organized by the City of New York Police Department in collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Charity partners include First Responders Children’s Foundation, House of Mandela Family Foundation and New York City Police Foundation.
“We’re reinvesting in parks and playgrounds across 77 Precincts and 9 Public Service Areas simultaneously to facilitate safe spaces for our children” said Kweku Mandela of House of Mandela. “NYPD officers will welcome children to new play areas and give them free sports equipment to help them enjoy the Summer after a difficult pandemic Winter.”
As a Foundation, our central mission is to create strong relationships with first responder agencies and assist them in fostering partnerships within their community”said Jillian Crane, President of First Responders Children’s Foundation. “By providing toys to distribute, these nonprofit, public-private relationships are helping to grow trust with the community’s youth, who need our help now more than ever.
Today is another step towards the goal of bringing police officers and their community together, providing a one-to-one platform that forages new, positive relationships. By establishing bonds with the children, they serve, the police officer’s ability to provide mentorships is enhanced in a way that police can say ‘We care about you.’
Media Coverage
Partners
The program is made possible by the generous support of organizations that are aligned with our mission and support the benefits of play in the development of a well-rounded and healthy child.
“Toys For Tots” and “Good 360” have both partnered with First Responders Children’s Foundation to launch “The Power of Play”. These two organizations have realized that now, more than ever, children need to unplug from their devices, and engage in activities that support their growth and well-being.
Individuals or companies who would like to join First Responders Foundation in this initiative and provide support are encouraged to donate to the program