A Place to Stay, A Place to Play

Last week, Family Promise of Spokane unveiled our new Wulan Mar Playscape. Boasting a swing set, basketball court, jungle gym with slides, and sidewalks for biking and scootering, the Playscape will provide a private area for guest families and their children to play and socialize, all within a few steps of our Emergency Shelter. This ribbon-cutting event represented the culmination of a nearly two-year long effort made by volunteers, staff, and community partners. 

Fitting the Mission

Our supporters may recall our three-year goals as an organization. Among other things, we plan to change the use of our facilities at 2002 E. Mission Avenue from an Emergency Shelter to a resource hub. Why, then, invest in a playground for it? 

This Playscape helps further our goals to end family homelessness. As any parent knows, getting things done when your children want to play is no easy task. Family Promise recognizes the value of supporting guests in a trauma-informed way, and when parents know that their children are playing in a safe environment, it becomes that much easier for them to focus on taking care of life’s other demands. 

Play Often, Grow Strong

Children, too, benefit from the stability and safety offered by the Playscape. Homelessness is an inherently traumatic experience. The consequences of trauma and ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) are well-known, but recent research done by Dr. Christina Bethell at John Hopkins University found that positive childhood experiences can act as a buffer. Though trauma will always leave some kind of impact, the kind of positive childhood experiences that playgrounds foster help neutralize the long-term impact of trauma, particularly on mental health. 

Additionally, many of our guests flee unsafe living situations and domestic violence, which limits their options for safe outdoor play. Visting a neighborhood park poses an unnecessary risk of exposure. The Playscape mitigates this risk as a private space where children can forge new friendships, process experiences, and simply be kids.  

Teamwork

So, what appears at first glance to be just swings and slides becomes a critical resource for children to grow into resilient adults, capable of breaking the cycle of family homelessness. Its construction would never have been possible without the support of our wonderful volunteers, partners, and donors. We are sincerely grateful for your assistance and hope you will continue alongside us in our work to ensure every child has a home.