(bright upbeat music) - Playworks improves the health and wellbeing of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play, and our guest today, Olivia Segura, is here to talk about the upcoming Race to Reduce Bullying event and the organization.

Hi there, Olivia, thank you so much for being here.

So first, let's talk about Playworks and your mission and all the good you do because you do a lot.

- Yeah, thank you.

So Playworks is the leading non-profit that's leveraging the power of play to bring out the best in every kid.

Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.

So we do that by partnering with youth organizations and local elementary schools in Utah.

- Wow, and I know you reach a lot of kids, like what, 50,000 kids you reach?

- Yes, so we partner with over 50 schools, and we impact over 30,000 students in our state.

- Yeah, and tell me about some of the skills you teach them, because you concentrate on really important things.

- Yes, so we use engaging games to help kids learn really important life skills, like conflict resolution, teamwork, communication, leadership, respect, and kindness, all really important skills that they can carry on into adulthood.

- And I know you say recess is a really crucial time.

- Yes, it's really important, not only as a break for kids throughout the learning day, but also to connect with their peers, really feel belonging at their school community, so we help schools maximize that time for the kids.

- Okay, and then talk about your junior coaches and briefly about the race.

- Yes, so our junior coaches are central to our program.

They're 4th and 5th grade students that have stepped up into a leadership role to help mentor.

They help teach engaging games to the younger students, but then also model those positive behaviors for their peers.

And we'll be celebrating their leadership journey at our annual Race to Reduce Bullying on Saturday May 3rd.

- Okay, great, well, it's an incredible thing you're doing for these kids, and I'm sure it makes a big difference, so thanks for being here.

- Thank you so much, Mary.

- And if you'd like to know more about Playworks, about what they do and about that Race to Reduce Bullying on May 3rd at 9:00 at Wheeler Historic Farm, go to playworks.org/utah, playworks.org/utah.

I'm Mary Dickson, thanks for watching "Contact."

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