Blue Cross volunteers create “dream space” for YWCA kids
The Midtown Minneapolis YWCA’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) program hasn’t had a playground since 2017. Their play structures were taken down at that time due to safety concerns. And while a new playground has been a priority, other needs took precedence. That changed this past July.
The ECE program’s 270 kids were asked to design their perfect playground, and they let their imaginations run wild. They dreamt up a space that includes slides, a thundercloud climber, an omni spinner and soft, safe surfaces suitable for all ages and abilities.
Over the course of three, scorching-hot days in July, more than 40 Blue Cross volunteers, in partnership with the YWCA Minneapolis, additional sponsors, and KABOOM, a company focused on building equitable play spaces, brought the ECE’s dream playground to life.
“We are thrilled to be here onsite supporting this playground build because we know that children learn by playing,” says Allison Corrado, a senior program officer for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation.
This is the third playground build Blue Cross has helped with. Access to safe play spaces provide physical, social and emotional benefits to children. But we were especially excited to lend our hands to help build this playground in this particular neighborhood.
Located in the heart of Minneapolis, this is one of the city’s most culturally diverse and economically challenged neighborhoods. Many of the community members and businesses in this neighborhood were impacted immediately following the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
“As Blue Cross volunteers, we were here all summer in 2020 supporting the basic needs of this community. Now it’s great to be back again to take part in building the future,” says Sarah Senseman, director of racial and health equity operations at Blue Cross.