WHY ARE WE BUILDING A PLAYGROUND?

· Our Rec-n-Respite program in Milford, DE is in need of a safe, outdoor area for our children to play! 

· Children use play to help them cope with and heal from the most emotionally impactful events in their lives.

· Encouraging children to run, climb, jump, stretch, and swing, allows them to release energy in their bodies which reduces the long-term impact of trauma on vulnerable brains and bodies. 

· Trauma creates feelings of helplessness and overwhelm in children. 

· Play builds resilience by allowing them to regain a sense of control through opportunities to make choices.

THE EFFECTS OF PLAY ON THE BRAIN
Climbing, swinging, and hard landings (like when you reach the bottom of a slide and your feet hit the ground) are good sources of proprioceptive input. Kids who participate in proprioceptive activities tend to have better self-regulation and lower anxiety levels. This is because engaging in these activities helps children improve their cognitive skills, sensory processing, and emotional awareness.

Play helps children affected by trauma by:
   ● Helping them learning social-emotional skills
   ● Developing an awareness of body sensations
   ● Naming, managing, and expressing emotions
   ● Strengthening problem-solving skills
   ● Making friends

CHANGE LIVES! Be a Part of Our Movement!
Your donation goes beyond building a playground—you are building resilience in young minds and bodies, promoting healing from unimaginable trauma, and providing a chance for youth to reach their full potential.