Every position plays a part.
Coalition Overview
The Project Play Coalition harnesses community energy to elevate sports-based youth development as a movement that functions as a catalyst for permanent positive change. We recognize that sports, play, and recreation, when done well, are uniquely positioned to help children learn and grow.
The Coalition is a collaborative of nonprofit and community-based youth sports and recreation organizations, sports-based youth development programs, school districts, government agencies, colleges/universities, businesses, and professional sports teams representing a full spectrum of sports, play, and outdoor recreation. The collaborative is a diverse, broad-based, cross-sector coalition representing seven Southeast Michigan counties – Wayne, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, and Washtenaw. The goals of the coalition include:
Capture data used to measure impact.
Support the fulfillment of the Aspen’s Institute’s 8 Plays & 8 Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports
Share resources, funding opportunities, and trainings.
Develop a common voice, set community standards, and create systems change
Drive impact by identifying best practices within the youth sports play, and recreational ecosystem.
Foster mentally reinforcing actions by member organizations
Testimonials
Lauren Fuller
Coalition Partner
“I have had the privilege of working with the Project Play Coalition and its working groups since its inception. As a smaller organization, it has been the single most impactful investment of my time. Being able to learn from, share ideas and troubleshoot challenges with other youth recreation providers across the region has allowed Sheriff PAL to greatly improve and expand our services to meet the demand for sports programming in our community. As a result of the Coalition, we have established several collaborative partnerships with other organizations, found additional revenue and equipment resources and developed solutions to key issues. In this line of work, it can be easy to get stuck in a vacuum; with the help of Project Play in bringing so many leaders together, I truly feel optimistic that we can work together to create effective, sustainable opportunities for engaging youth in play and physical activity in Southeast Michigan.”
What to Expect
The Project Play Coalition is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion through our mission, vision, and values and by bringing together diverse stakeholders who reflect the community we serve. The Coalition’s role is to convene youth sports, play, and recreation providers around shared learning and support their work with resources, opportunities for growth, and advocacy. The benefits include:
Training and professional development, learning communities
Community building and quarterly convenings
Annual certifications/trainings
Grant updates and other resource opportunities
Access to capacity-building support
A forum for collective action
Leadership opportunities and action teams
Get Involved
We welcome all individuals who want to make Southeast Michigan a more active community! We stand for healthy children and healthy communities!
Touch Base
Sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date on Project Play news, events, and resources.