Play More B'More is a multi-sector partnership between Baltimore Corps, KaBOOM!, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, OneBaltimore, Family League of Baltimore and others. Beginning in the summer of 2015, Play More B'More began training and employing youth ages 15-18 in summer jobs to lead recreation programs for younger children. The programs centered around Imagination Playgrounds, or play spaces that are configured indoors, in community spaces and recreational centers in Sandtown-Winchester, Park Heights and Upton. In its inaugural program, Play More B'More employed over 30 teen employees, titled Play Associates, who earned their first work experience. Play Associates also engage in professional development opportunities throughout the summer.
In the fall, when the teens returned to school, Play More B'More employed a new cohort of Play Interns, aged 16-24, to build three traditional playgrounds across Baltimore.
Through the end of 2016, pending funding for projects in at least eight neighborhoods, Play More B’More aims to impact the youth and community of Baltimore in the following ways:
- Provide 4,000 children per year access to great places to get the active play they need
- Create pathways to work and educational opportunities for up to 50 disconnected youth interns, as well as 500 additional neighborhood youth volunteers
- Build stronger, healthier and safer communities, sparked by the spirit and volunteer power of 1,600+ volunteers working together to build a better Baltimore.
Play More Baltimore is managed by Baltimore Corps Fellows Cirron Greenidge and Rashaad Whitfield, as well as Baltimore Corps staff member Cortnie Belser.