Who is THE PLAYGROUNDgr?
THE PLAYGROUNDgr is a local nonprofit, who is committed to bridging the disparities of the racial, gender, culture, and socioeconomic gaps often found in caregivers/educational institutions and community based programing around the world of play.
Play based support, therapy and awareness continues to be an evidenced tool that sharpens and supports, emotional health, mental health, trauma, grief and attachment. THE PLAYGROUNDgr is tasked with ensuring all members of our community have access to free or reduce rated play workshops, trainings, play based groups and play based therapy.
Our Mission
To raise awareness around the emotional and mental health benefits of play. At THE PLAYGROUNDgr, we believe play heals.
Who Benefits from Play Therapy?
Everyone! At THE PLAYGROUNDgr we work alongside people of all ages.
Our Frequent Partners
Boys and Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids
THE PLAYGROUNDgr partners with Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Grand Rapids providing free play therapy based groups, staff trainings, camp support and other community supports on a weekly basis. Learn more about their programming below.
YMCA
THE PLAYGROUNDgr provides play therapy based groups for YMCA Prek Programming, camp support, training and workshops within the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids Programming on a weekly basis. Learn ore about their programing below.
Arbor Circle
Arbor Circle
THE PLAYGROUNDgr partners with Arbor Circle providing One on One Play Therapy and Weekly Youth Trauma Play Therapy Groups. Learn more about these therapy services here.
"GR therapist, GRPS principal honored for expanding accessibility to 'play therapy" - WZZM13
2025 Michigan Play Therapist of the Year: Jacqueline Scherer, LMSW, RPT
2025 Michigan Friend of Play Therapy of the Year: Abbie Marr
"Grand Rapids Therapist and Principal Win Statewide Awards for Play Therapy" - West Michigan Woman
Best of GR Grandtastic Awards
Congratulations! THE PLAYGROUNDgr's results in the Best of GR Grandtastic Voting Contest are:
#10 in the Community Bests: Best Local Non-profit Helping Families category!
#5 in the Community Bests: Best Family Volunteering Opportunity category!
The Shelly Irwin Show on NPR
THANK YOU to Shelly Irwin for featuring 2025 Michigan Awardees
"Two Grand Rapids-area leaders are being honored for their work expanding access to "play therapy."
-As featured on MSW.COM
Community Votes Grand Rapids 2024
GOLD: Therapy and Counseling: THE PLAYGROUNDgr
BRONZE: Community Organization: THE PLAYGROUNDgr
West Michigan Women Magazine: 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards
West Michigan Woman: 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards honored THE PLAYGROUNDgr with top three mental health services. We are honored! Congratulations to Wedgewood Christian Services for being nominated, and CONGRATULATIONS to Pine Rest Mental Health Services for earning the title of Best Mental Health Provider by Readers Choice Awards!
The Shelly Irwin Show on NPR
THANK YOU to Shelly Irwin for featuring us on The Shelley Irwin Show. Give us a listen!
100 Businesses Who Care
PLAYGROUNDgr received a $50,000 donation from the group 100 Businesses That Care to expand its outreach across West Michigan.