Pam Frasier has been an integral part of the Playtime Project volunteer team for 15 years. She has worked with Playtime in many forms – from corralling children of all ages into one small room in the former DC General Family Shelter to expanding programming into Prince George’s County. Just as Ms. Pam has seen Playtime’s evolution as an organization, she has seen children at program grow up and experience their own transitions. The toddlers she worked with at DC General eventually started attending our programs for pre-teens, while other families found more stable housing. For those with whom she develops close relationships, it is bittersweet to say goodbye, even when it means moving into more stable housing. “I am protective over all of them,” she shared. “Where I am now, there is a family there that I love, and I call them my little buddies. They’re so sweet.”
One of my fondest memories was doing art projects with the children at DC General. I loved seeing their creative expressions, and to this day, art is still my favorite activity to do with the children.
How did you learn about Playtime?
I learned about Playtime at a volunteer event in DC. It was 2011, and I was looking for opportunities to give back. I grew up watching my mother volunteer, and I love to serve. At one of my old jobs, they gave us time to tutor at an elementary school. I went to that volunteer event to find a place I could serve continuously, and reading about Playtime felt right. I am a very spiritual person, and I felt peace when I read the description – before even hearing what Jamila had to say, I knew it was right.
What has kept you coming back for 15 years?
I love it. I love the whole experience of Playtime. I love serving, I love volunteering, and I love children. The kids bring so much joy to my life, and I am trying to bring joy to their lives. I look forward to it every week. Thursdays have usually been my night and if another meeting comes up, I say I can’t make it, I have to be at Playtime. Some people are shocked, saying “you’re still there?” and I can only tell them that it’s really the children that bring the joy that keeps me going. We’re there to help them, and they don’t realize how much they help us at the same time.
What is your favorite part of coming to Playtime?
The kids are so spontaneous! We don’t know what to expect and we just have FUN. I look forward to seeing the children every week. We have developed relationships with some of the kids that have been there for a long time. Seeing their evolution warms my heart and motivates me to keep going. I get to see some kids grow up and move from the playroom to the pre-teen room. I even have some friends that I volunteered with and we're still friends to this day! We went through so much together.
What words make you think of Playtime?
Fulfilling, fun, special.
