By: Brynja Seagren
The LA84 Foundation, recently released their 2024 Play Equity Report, a comprehensive study that highlights the importance of our work to create access to healthy lifestyles for kids. It’s a critical reminder of the difference that play makes for kids.
What is play equity?
The report defines play equity as “the concept of ensuring that all children, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, zip code, or socioeconomic status – have access to the opportunity to play and engage in physical activity. It recognizes that play is essential for a child’s physical, emotional, social and academic development and that disparities in access to play can perpetuate and exacerbate already existing inequalities.”
The LA84 Foundation found that the majority of California’s young people are not meeting the recommended guidelines for physical activity. “Access, affordability, transportation, and safe spaces to play continue to hinder the ability of youth – particularly those from underserved parts of our state – to engage in the type of physical activity that foster lifelong well-being” (LA84 Play Equity Report).
At Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica, we believe deeply in the power of play. As a nonprofit, we work to increase access to safe, inclusive, empowering spaces where kids can play, grow, and dream.
We are committed to doing our part to create a future where all kids can benefit from play, especially girls and kids of color. Here’s how …
Clubs are safe, inclusive places where kids are free to play.
The Play Equity Report found that equity gaps become even more pronounced when considering the intersection of race and gender, with significant disparities observed between white males and Black/African American females or Latinas. They report that more than half (55%) of white males engage in physical activities more than four times per week, where 22% of Black/African American females and Latinas participate at the same level. In general, 41% of females play less than three times per week, as compared to 29% of males.
We facilitate dedicated programs that empower girls to play through dedicated programs that encourage them to grow through movement. One of those programs is Skater Tots, which participant Sakara describes as “a girls empowerment club that teaches you how to skate.” Girls get active and learn skills that help them become leaders and changemakers in their own lives. We also facilitate the SMART Moves program, a curriculum designed to support holistic health, from making a plan to exercise regularly to investing in empowering relationships.
Here at Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica, we serve a diverse population of kids and encourage them all to find their passion for play, whether that’s through a sports league, a game of gaga ball, or running around on the blacktop.
Combating the rising costs of play.
When surveyed by LA84, 63% of parents reported struggling to afford the costs associated with their children’s sports participation and 62% reported that costs played a role in why one or more of their children stopped playing sports. We believe cost should never be a barrier to play and are committed to providing access to safe spaces where kids are free to be kids!
Last year, 1,000 of the kids and teens we served were tuition-free. Our sports programs specifically, provide gear and other supplies so families don’t have to cover these costs.
Play is Powerful
“According to parents, the top three benefits of play are physical health, confidence-building / self-esteem, and social/relationship-building,” reports the foundation. This is especially important for the girls we serve who benefit from dedicated programs and a space to call their own.
Our holistic programming provides integrated opportunities for all kids to get active while building confidence, resilience, and relationships.
We’re committed to increasing access to play in ways that are meaningful and actionable for the kids and families we serve.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica serves almost 400 kids daily through our seven Playground Club sites in partnership with Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Here, we support kids engaging in play and movement. On any given day, our team can be found facilitating activities like yoga classes, sports practice, and fun games that support coordinated movement and fine and gross motor skills.
We also lead organized sports programs for elementary and middle school kids at our 11 Club sites. This year so far, we have served 885 kids through these efforts! Income-eligible families are able to participate tuition-free, helping remove the critical barrier of cost for those who need us most!
