Edward Campana Jr.
Zachary Augustine
St. John's University
Charles Wankel
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Our team decided to choose Right To Play’s Play At The Core program innovation based off of their individuality in business and our connections to schools and children's education. Another reason for our decision is the major positive impact on society and satisfaction for many UN Global Goals in sustainable development that the organization possesses.
Right To Play is a nonpartisan fundraising organization that travels internationally to provide resources and build life skills. It was founded in 2000 by Johann Olav Koss, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and social entrepreneur. Through sports and games, they help children build essential life skills and better futures, while driving social change in their communities with lasting impact. The goal of the company, is to improve the quality of life everywhere. They receive their funds from individuals, corporations, the government and any donations or fundraisers provided. Play At The Core is a US based is a community outreach program ran by Right To Play. The program is geared towards children, communities and teachers and it is unprecedented within the business. The program began due to lack of saturation within the field for this need. Communities are often under-supported in the field of education because they can’t seem to acquire the resource development they so greatly need. Play At The Core develops a more locally owned child development program that promises to raise the overall quality of education centers and programs even after they are gone. These programs include, but are not necessarily limited to coaching sessions for teachers, after school sports and education programs, sports based clinics and even summer camp programs. They also use sports and outdoor activities to improve learning and make it fun for everyone.
We spoke with Jared about the U.S. location of the company he helped expand. We really wanted him to put his business innovation into his own words:
“Play at the Core really formed in the five boroughs from a lack of difference makers in the community. You know we often want to go into areas and provide development programs that no one has ever tried before in these areas. I mean there’s just so much to offer through teaching, sports and just overall support to these pre-schools and learning institutions that no one has before. Our goal is really to step in with a teaching program designed specifically for a teacher or a community that is sustainable with good results for years to come.” - Jared Carroll
Jared Carroll and the Right To Play USA’s offices inspiration came from the lack of help children and communities were receiving in the U.S. just as much as they had been in Canada, where the company was founded. Ontario’s education development greatly improved in the areas that the Play At The Core program had been to assist. Jared lets it be know that he is always committed to developing adaptive programming that serves the developmental needs of children impacted by illness and trauma as well is kids in communities.
Our team also got to ask Jared about the high points in his life, things that he was passionate or happy about, whether it was on a personal or business level:
“Every moment spent with my team is a proud, high moment. Being able to be a part of a collective unit that can collaborate and share ideas for the betterment of Right to Play feels great.”- Jared Carroll
His answer showed us the positive work environment that Play at the Core has and how working hard to elevate the program is easy with the right kind of people.
The program Play At The Core, in its 6th year has already had a tremendous effect and their best feature is their sustainable development. Via survey, it has been recorded that 57% of all teachers increased the quality of instruction in their classroom. 81% were able to create an environment that was more emotionally supportive. This brought on a 15% overall increase in the quality of production, a 24% increase in emotional support and a 30% increase on organization within the classroom.
According to the 2016 PATC Report found on their website, the company has affected 59 Community Based Educational Organizations, 667 Early Childhood Organizers, 275 Pre-K Classrooms and 4,739 Pre-School Students within the five boroughs. The company itself has elevated the overall level of the majority schools in these areas which elevates the entire education market as a whole. In addition, Right To Play benefits as a company more with each satisfied customer.
The social and environmental benefit is easy and laid out. The Play At The Core program takes communities with less than stellar education programs, (whether it be due to poor resources, staffing or programs) and improves their quality of education. They do this through assessments of community needs, followed by tailored learning forums, individualized learning and teaching support, finalized by ongoing development for specific resources. The end game is to provide all communities and pre-schools that need support with a sustainable development program that can be kept in place over time.
Finally, before we finished our interview with Jared, we asked him to talk to us about his ideas for a better world. Whether it be in a personal sense or how Play At The Core can be involved:
“Honestly, I think we should look at ourselves. For example, with Play at The Core we wish to continue to try and reach students and teachers at a more personal level, provide them more resources, and be able to work on making our weaknesses become or strengths. If we take that idea and put it on a more broader, global scale that I believe we can all make the world a better place.” - Jared Carroll
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Jared Carroll, Director, US Programs
