Today, kids and households in Southeast D.C. are celebrating the creation of a brand new kid-designed playground at SOME Independence Place. The months-long collaboration between So Others Might Eat (SOME), Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation (MSEF), and KABOOM! culminated this week as over 150 volunteers constructed the brand new playspace that can spark pleasure and foster a way of belonging for residents.

“More than18 years ago, we partnered with KABOOM! to design and build a playspace at this exact Independence Place location. It is amazing to see this project and partnership continue to grow over the years as we build another playspace for the next generation,” stated Ralph Boyd, CEO and President of SOME. “Today, we have 21 families and 40 children under 18 living at Independence Place, many of whom were involved in the design and build of the project. We thank Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation for selecting our affordable housing facility. All children deserve a safe place to play, learn and grow.”

The new playspace was a collaborative effort by neighborhood members, together with children, who offered artistic concepts for his or her dream playground throughout a design day in July. Volunteers from the organizations constructed the area over a number of days and helped minimize the ribbon alongside employees from Monumental Sports & Entertainment and gamers, coaches and mascots for the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals.

“For the last twelve years we have invested in a space for the community to convene around the joy of exercise and sport. And we are so excited to do so again today with SOME – a trusted Washingtonian care provider for over 50 years, an organization I’ve supported personally as well as through Monumental Sports,” stated Ted Leonsis, Chairman and CEO for Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “Joining us in this shared sense of community commitment are the athletes, coaches, mascots and staff volunteers who have been on site to build this beautiful space. And we do this for the D.C. residents who support us every season and to leave a lasting legacy in the community for future generations.”

Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation has offered help for the brand new playground by its partnership with KABOOM!. Since 2011, MSEF has invested almost $1 million and partnered with KABOOM! to construct 11 playgrounds throughout the area with the volunteer help of greater than 1,300 staff and followers.

KABOOM! is working to finish playspace inequity, guaranteeing that youngsters have entry to high quality locations to play, one thing that must be a part of each little one’s life. The new playspace at SOME Independence Place was designed with the residents’ distinctive wants and needs in thoughts and brings the District one step nearer towards guaranteeing that each child has the chance to expertise the fun and advantages of play.

“Playgrounds are an iconic part of childhood. They’re not only where kids collect some of their best memories, but also where crucial skills are developed that nurture their physical, mental, and emotional well-being,” stated Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM!. “KABOOM! is thrilled to work with our partners to bring to life the new playspace at SOME Independence Place and ensure that kids in Washington, DC have a place designed just for them, where they can play, learn, and unlock their greatest potential.”

About SOME (So Others Might Eat)

For greater than 50 years, SOME has been a trusted agent for change within the D.C. area as a frontrunner within the effort to interrupt the cycle of poverty & homelessness in our nation’s capital. SOME offers materials help and luxury to our neighbors within the District, serving to them break the cycle of poverty and homelessness by packages and companies that save lives, enhance lives and assist rework lives of people and households, their communities and the programs and constructions that have an effect on them. Learn extra at SOME.org or by following us on Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation
MSE Foundation is dedicated to creating the area a greater place for all by supporting game-changing options for our neighborhood. We fundraise, present grants to nonprofits and rally Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s groups and followers to help and amplify the influence of neighborhood change brokers. Together, we’re elevating the sport within the DMV. Learn extra at MonumentalFoundation.org and observe us on Twitter and Instagram.

About KABOOM!

KABOOM! is the nationwide nonprofit dedicated to ending playspace inequity – the fact that high quality locations to play will not be accessible to each little one, particularly in communities of coloration. Since 1996, KABOOM! has partnered with children and communities to construct or enhance 17,000+ playspaces and be sure that almost 12 million children have equitable entry to the essential advantages and alternatives that playspaces provide. In 2022, KABOOM! launched the 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity to speed up its mission in 25 high-priority areas over 5 years. Learn extra at kaboom.org or be a part of the dialog on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.