August Newsball 2017
Playing Catch-Up with the Life is Good Playmakers
This month, I got to take my family to the beach for a week. We built sandcastles. Splashed in the waves. Took bike rides. Ate more than enough ice cream and fried foods. And tried to catch fish.
Mostly though, we just spent time together.
Science tells us that the strongest indicators of good health, development and growth are our human connections—that the quality of our lives is in direct proportion to the quality of our relationships.
Before summer comes to a close, I hope that you have the chance to reinvest some time into your life’s most meaningful relationships. The ROI is huge. Always. And please know that The Life is Good Playmakers is grateful, honored and down right giddy that you’ve chosen to invest in us.
Love & Peace,
Steve Gross, MSW
Chief Playmaker, Life is Good Playmakers
GOOD PROGRESS
Our Work in the Field
Our Doors Are Open
This month 40 childcare professionals gathered at our Life is Good Headquarters in S. Boston to take part in our quarterly public Two-Day Intensive Playmaker Retreat. The majority of The LiGP’s work focuses on partnering with entire schools, hospitals and enrichment programs, but in the hopes of spreading the power of optimism even further, four times a year we offer public retreats open to any childcare professional interested in creating optimal environments for kids (and the people who work with them) to connect, engage and explore. Our public retreats fill quickly, and our last one for 2017 is coming up in November. If you would like to become a playmaker, click here.
Even More Good
Earlier this month, key members of the LiGP Playmaker Core Teams at Parents In Community Action (PICA) Headstart, Plaza de la Raza Headstart, and Children’s Hospitals of Minnesota came together to dive into the content, delivery and facilitation of LiGP Playmaker 101 workshops. This train-the-trainer phase of our program is core to sustaining optimal environments for kids to heal and grow. Check out this article about our work and partnerships in Minnesota.
Progress in South Boston
Early this summer The LiGP partnered with 35 children’s health and wellness organizations through the South Boston Association of Non-Profits (SBANP) to help them build a more connected culture of optimism throughout the entire neighborhood. Since the kick-off with a keynote from LiGP’s Founder, Steve Gross the group has put together a plan that will start with a series of LiGP workshops and retreats for local frontline childcare professionals. Take a look at how SBANP announced the partnership.
GOOD GROWTH
Our Work to Raise Support
Positive Thinking Day
September 13 is National Positive Thinking Day and to celebrate Life is Good Co-Founders, Bert and John Jacobs are welcoming four exceptional positive thinkers (and good-doers) to engage and inspire an audience of 150 optimists at our Life is Good Tavern. Come hear how optimism can take you anywhere (from starting a business, to finding your path, to saving a life) All tickets support The Life is Good Playmakers. Thanks so much to Boston Consulting Group for signing on as our premiere sponsor! Get Involved!
Back to School Bouquets
As you might be getting ready to see a special student off to college, consider brightening up their home away from home with a signature Life is Good bouquet. Thanks to our partners at Benchmark Bouquets, you can order your flowers directly through Amazon. Just make sure to click the box that says, “This is a gift,” to add a personal message to go along with your bouquet. In addition to sending good vibes, 10% of every Life is Good bouquet supports The LiGP! See and send the Life is Good bouquet.
Kids Coloring Contest
This spring Life is Good ran the Second Annual Kids Coloring Contest to find out what makes life good, according to kids. The answers are as varied (and smart and beautiful and authentic) as the artists themselves – capturing everything from beautiful birds to mighty machines and everything in between. The contest has already raised more than $7,000 for The LiGP and now 100% of the net profits of every Kids Coloring Tee will support our mission as well! Submit your art here.
GOOD PEOPLE
Our Playmakers
“No one knew how to help me, or what to do,” Julie recalls. “I was isolated, lonely, and going through the worst time of my life.”
By the time she was 34, Julie Enos was a Boston Public School teacher, mother of a darling three year-old, three months pregnant and a widow.
GOT NEWS?
If you have news about a program, fundraiser, or event in support of The LiGP, let us know. We love hearing from you!
