Systemic barriers in education and access to care are not just obstacles to learning, they are threats to mental, emotional, and physical health. When children and families feel unseen or unsupported, the consequences can be devastating. PLAY Education exists to change that narrative.
We work to create environments rooted in whole child health and learning, inclusivity and representation and affirming youth voice. Through community-driven programming and partnerships, we aim to dismantle systemic barriers and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Our innovative work is:
We are advancing whole child wellness and learning by championing programs that nurture physical, emotional, and social well-being, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive in school and in life.
We are building inclusive communities by centering our work in equity and belonging, creating affirming spaces where diverse identities are celebrated and every child feels seen, heard and affirmed to be their authentic selves.
We are driving community partnerships for impact by collaborating with schools, local businesses, and organizations to design initiatives that strengthen communities and expand access to resources.
We are transforming systems for sustainable change by looking beyond immediate programs and focusing on systemic solutions that shape policies, practices, and culture to create lasting improvements in education and public health.
Creating environments where children can learn, grown and thrive; just as they are.
The P.L.A.Y. Education Corporation was founded in 2024 (2022) by Shannon Milliken (she/her), a former physical education teacher, health and wellness consultant at the Colorado Department of Education, and mother who believes every child deserves to be seen, heard, affirmed, and feel a sense of belonging.
Growing up as a Korean transracial adoptee in a predominantly white, middle-class Colorado community, Shannon experienced the privileges of opportunity while navigating the complexities of identity, representation, and belonging. Her personal experiences, combined with her work in schools and at the Colorado Department of Education, revealed how deeply systemic barriers influence children's access to education, health, wellness, and opportunity.
These barriers aren't always obvious. They can look like a family unable to afford extracurricular activities, a teacher purchasing supplies for students, or a child who doesn't see themselves represented in the world around them. Too often, these experiences are accepted as simply the way things are.
Becoming a mother strengthened Shannon's determination to challenge that thinking. She wanted her daughter to grow up in a world where belonging and opportunity weren't determined by identity, circumstances, or access to resources. And she believed every child deserved the same.
P.L.A.Y. Education was created from a simple but powerful belief: children shouldn't have to change who they are to fit into systems that weren't designed for them. We need to change the systems.
Today, that vision has evolved beyond the classroom. P.L.A.Y. advances community health equity by connecting people, strengthening partnerships, mobilizing resources, and building sustainable systems that support healthier schools and more inclusive communities.
Because when we recognize that the barriers affecting our children, families, and neighbors aren't inevitable, we can begin working together to change them.
And that's why we P.L.A.Y.
Organization name
The P.L.A.Y. Education Corporation
2022
Tax id (EIN)
92-1286707
Category
Education, Community Improvement & Capacity Building, Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, Youth Development, Recreation & Sports
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
14310 Grant StreetUS
CO, US
Denver, CO, US
Aurora, CO, US
Erie, CO, US