When I started at
Playworks it was called Sports4Kids, we did all the same things: running
recess, classroom game time, after school programs, and school sports teams
that play against other schools within our district. My first interview was by
the founder Jill Vialet, and Coach Bill Vanark. First thing I
noticed was the relaxed casual manner in which they were dressed, which for me
was a great first impression. The first question asked to me was, “How
comfortable I would be dealing with racial, gender, and LGBTQ issues?”
Sports4kids was a social justice organization addressing some of the most
difficult of our community problems and doing it through play. As it grew, we
sacrificed a city for expansion and refused large corporate donations. Even
with the statistics showing that bullying is down in schools, this research
does not show any real impact on the conditions affecting our most needy
children. I know many coaches who have lost students and had to attend their
funerals many times in a year. The social justice model first started and how I
was trained in my school the 84 students who passed thru my program none has
given in to a systemic racist system that would rather lock them up then
educate them (Not sure what you are trying to say with this sentence, needs to
be re-written to be clearer). I hope that this will spark a discussion that
through play and sports we can change a culture of austerity and all the
negatives that comes with it.
Was having their
corporate logos on the recess presented by sign a requirement from Mattel and
New Balance as part of the donation agreement?
Yes. Logo
recognition is stipulated in the partnership agreement.
Op-ed: I
was not surprised by this; we see over and over that corporations do not donate
because they care about the community. They donate because they hope it will
boost sales and also for tax breaks.
Is there a conflict of interest
for Playworks as a Non/Not for profit taking corporate donations? What about
companies getting their products thru free trade agreements?
Our goal is to serve
as many kids as possible by creating a safe and inclusive place for them to
play every day at school. We rely on foundations, individuals and corporations
who meet our guidelines to help fund our program. Playworks is the only
organization in the country to provide a trained, full-time program coordinator
("coach") at low-income schools specifically to make the most of
recess and other play opportunities so that every kid has the
opportunity to belong. Playworks schools have less bullying and
exclusionary behavior than other similar schools, transitions from learning are
faster; students feel safer during recess and engage in more inclusive play and
teachers are more satisfied (Stanford/Mathematica Research randomized control
trial). The coaches supervise recess activities, manage a student leadership
program, work with the teachers in the class during a regular "class game
time," run before- or after-school programs and manage developmental
sports leagues at their schools.
Op-ed: I
was not expecting a direct answer to this question not only for the truth to
power within the question, but I am sure it would affect their donations
current and future. The idea that in it’s current state Playworks is allowing
kids to belong is not happening. I know this not from the true fact of the
statistics stated saying, “Playworks schools
have less bullying and exclusionary behavior than other similar schools,
transitions from learning are faster; students feel safer during recess and
engage in more inclusive play and teachers are more
satisfied (Stanford/Mathematical Research randomized control trial).” The
kids do well in that semi-controlled environment; learning is better in an
education system that under-serves them. You can not have a real positive
outcome here while taking money from multinational corporations that do
business with countries that have even worse human rights issues than we do. It
is a conflict of interest!
Was Playworks Started as a reaction to cuts in public
education?
Playworks was started
in response to a principal's suggestion that Jill Vialet, who was visiting her
school on behalf of MOCHA (the previous organization she founded) "do
something" to keep kids positively engaged during recess and away from trouble.
You can read the story here.
Op-ed:
There is no reason why this model could not have been put in place by any
school district through public funds; the taxes are yours and should be used
for you as much as needed for this unsustainable economic model that bails out
the few at the expense of the many. The need was there because our poorest, and
mostly people of color, always take the economic hit and the first places they
take money from are our education and healthcare. Until we take over our local
government and elect not career politicians, but people of the people and for
the people, the great work of Playworks cannot effect real community change.
This is due to the fact that Playworks has to take money from the same people
that run exploitative companies.
How much did each company donate and how much
comes directly to Oakland?
The amount of
financial support provided by any donor is proprietary information. The funds
provided by Mattel and New Balance support all 23 Playworks direct-service
regions around the country. We currently serve 175,000 kids every day with our
direct-service program. We serve in 31 East Bay schools in Alameda and Contra
Costa County and have a hefty waiting list of additional schools who want the
program.
The partnership with
Playworks marks the seventh signature philanthropic partner for Mattel. Over
the next two years, Mattel has pledged more than $1 million from the Mattel Children's Foundation to support Playworks initiatives.
New Balance Foundation's $1.2 million investment over two
years
http://www.newbalance.com/Responsible-Leadership_Philanthropy-and-Community-Investment_Playworks/about_responsible_leadership_philanthropy_playworks,default,pg.html
op-ed:
Actually corporate donations are public records as are nonprofits. I know
Playworks is at fewer schools now here in Oakland then 2006.
Is there a way thru play to address the specific needs
of our youth of color in both affluent and poor communities?
Absolutely. The
American Academy of Pediatrics, the national PTA, principals and teachers have
all come out publicly and vocally in support of play and recess. Through
play, kids can practice and learn crucial skills such as collaboration,
teamwork, and conflict resolution. Of course it also increases kids' levels of
physical activity and improving their health and well-being. Sadly, it is
our most underserved and impoverished communities that are most likely to have
recess and play time cut. Playworks helps schools restore healthy playtime and
fosters opportunities for all students to participate in inclusive and healthy
play. Play and recess, in this way, are equalizers. Every kid deserves the
opportunity to play every day.
op-ed: I
have known Jill for a very long time, and she would not place the name with the
face. She has never failed to recognize me, often giving me advice on starting
my own endeavors. I believe with all that I am that we need a complete renewal
of our education system and that healthy play and arts are a big part of it.
Is Playworks moving from having a social justice
component a direct effect of accepting multinational corporate donations?
Our goal is to serve
as many kids as possible. We work exclusively with low-income schools and in
many communities, recess and school activities are the only time students
attending these schools can play safely and learn the values of teamwork,
cooperation and respect modeled by our coaches. We rely on donations to serve
kids, as under-funded schools cannot cover the cost of a fulltime Playworks
coach.
op-ed:
Without a social justice part of how rock, paper, scissors as a conflict
management translates into reduced violence within poor communities we will
never change the culture that has created the crisis our youth are having.
Are there signs at every Playworks location? Do
they all have the same corporate logos?
Yes. Mattel and New
Balance are our national partners. Banners in some Playworks regions also
carry the logos of local sponsors.
Has the issue
of having the logos on OUSD campuses come up before?
Our logos are on
banners. They are not permanent parts of the campus. We have not had an issue
with the district.
op-ed:
The Oakland Greens have been talking about the hierocracy of corporate money
within public spaces for quite some time. Here in Oakland we discussed it
publicly during several political civil disobedience actions.
All
questions & opinions written by
Vicente
Cruz Oakland Green Party
Opinions
edited by
Amani
Liggett Chief Editor Contributing Writer of The Oakland Green Party
Answers
written by Cindy Wilson Playworks Director of Communications
No part
of the responses were edited in any way
