Washington, DC – Today, children and families in Southeast DC are celebrating the creation of a 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, when over 150 volunteers built the new playground, which will bring joy and create a sense of belonging for the residents.
“More than 18 years ago, we partnered with KABOOM! to design and build a playground at this very Independence Place location. It’s amazing to see this project and partnership continue to grow over the years as we build another playground the next generation,” said 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 construction of the project. We thank Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation for choosing our affordable housing facility. All children deserve a safe place to play, learn and grow.”
The new playground was a collaboration between members of the local community, including children, who presented creative ideas for their dream playground during a design day in July. Volunteers from the organizations built the space over several days and helped cut the ribbon along with staff from Monumental Sports & Entertainment and players, coaches and mascots for the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals.
“For the past twelve years, we have invested in a space where the community can meet around the joy of exercise and sport. And we are so pleased to do so again today with SOME – a trusted Washingtonian care provider for over 50 years, an organization I have supported personally as well as through Monumental Sports,” said Ted Leonsis, Chairman and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “Joining us in this shared sense of community commitment are the athletes, coaches, mascots and volunteers who have been on site to build this beautiful space. And we do this for the DC residents who support us each season and to leave a lasting legacy in society for future generations.”
The Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation has provided support for the new playground through its partnership with KABOOM!. Since 2011, MSEF has invested nearly $1 million and partnered with KABOOM! to build 11 playgrounds across the region with the voluntary support of more than 1,300 employees and fans.
KABOOM! works to end playground inequality and ensure children have access to quality places to play, something that should be part of every child’s life. Designed with residents’ unique needs and desires in mind, the new playground at SOME Independence Place brings the district one step closer to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to experience the joys and benefits of play.
“Playgrounds are an iconic part of childhood. They are not only where children make some of their fondest memories, but also where crucial skills are developed that nurture their physical, mental and emotional well-being,” said Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM!. “KABOOM! is excited to work with our partners to bring the new play space at SOME Independence Place to life and ensure that children in Washington, DC have a place designed for them to play, learn and unleash their greatest potential. “
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About SOME (so others can eat)
For more than 50 years, SOME has been a trusted agent of change in the DC region as a leader in efforts to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness in our nation’s capital. SOME provides material aid and comfort to our neighbors in the District, helping them break the cycle of poverty and homelessness through programs and services that save lives, improve lives, and help transform lives for individuals and families, their communities, and the systems and structures that affect them. Learn more at SOME.org or by following us on Instagram and LinkedIn.
About the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation
The MSE Foundation is committed to making the region a better place for everyone by supporting game-changing solutions for our community. We raise money, make grants to nonprofits, and bring together Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s teams and fans to support and amplify the impact of agents of social change. Together we raise the game in the DMV. Learn more at MonumentalFoundation.org and follow us Twitter and Instagram.
About KABOOM!
KABOOM! is the national nonprofit committed to ending playground inequality—the reality that quality places to play are not available to all children, especially in communities of color. Since 1996, KABOOM! has partnered with children and communities to build or improve 17,000+ playgrounds and ensure that nearly 12 million children have equal access to the vital benefits and opportunities that playgrounds offer. In 2022, KABOOM! launched the 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity to accelerate its mission in 25 high-priority locations over five years. Learn more at kaboom.org or join the conversation at TwitterFacebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.