We partner with transitional housing and emergency shelters and community spaces across the city, where we create safe and fun play spaces at the shelters where the children live. Weekly volunteers dedicate their time, serving as playmates and mentors to children from 6 months to 12 years old. Learn more.
2023 marks Playtime Project's 20th anniversary! We know that play is essential in developing strong, resilient, self-assured children. In 2023, we will focus on maintaining our excellent play programs, as well as helping our children and families achieve success beyond the shelter.
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We partner with homeless shelters in Washington, D.C., to create safe and fun play spaces for the children where they live.
Take a look. -
Volunteer as a Play Ranger and make a difference in the life of a child experiencing homelessness!
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We accept new toys and family items as well as monetary donations.
Find out how you can help.
Our impact in 2022
Thanks to the support of generous staff, volunteers, and donors, Playtime made a huge impact in 2022.
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Children Served
401
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PlayKits Delivered
244
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Back-to-School Backpacks Distributed
225
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Served Through Pop-Up Playtime Events
140
From the Blog
As we enter the holiday season, Playtime is so grateful to have been reconnected with two former Playtime children who and are now college freshmen. Kamari Felton attends Frostburg State University and Nyla Slye is a student at Spelman College. Kamari and Nyla were enrolled in Playtime programs while living at the now-closed DC General homeless (DCG) shelter.
One of Playtime Project’s most exciting areas of growth has been its expansion into Prince George’s County, Maryland. Previously focused within the DC city limits, we saw the need for our services in the county and made it a priority to reach out. Now, in Playtime’s 20th year, we are serving children and families experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness at four program sites within Prince George’s County, accounting for half of our total programming.
For two-and-a-half years, Kamari Felton was part of Playtime Project’s Teen Program at the now-closed DC General homeless shelter. We spoke with him just as he was getting ready to head off to his freshman year at Frostburg State University about his difficult journey to reach this major achievement.
