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The Life is Good Playmaker Project's 2025 Impact Report

In early 2026, The Life is Good Playmaker Project unveiled its 2025 Impact Report, which captures the strides made in addressing child trauma through innovative, play-centered approaches. This initiative, part of the Life is Good brand known for its positive lifestyle ethos, aims to cultivate an environment where children recover from trauma and grow into optimistic individuals who can transform the world.

Addressing Child Trauma Through Play

The Playmaker Project focuses on equipping early childhood educators—referred to as Playmakers—with essential tools, training, and community support tailored to create safe, nurturing, and joyful spaces for children grappling with adversity. In the year 2025, the initiative successfully integrated over 4,500 new early childhood professionals into its community, now comprising 30,000 Playmakers committed to supporting over one million children annually.

This community empowers educators with trauma-informed methodologies that leverage play as a fundamental learning tool. As Steve Gross, the Project's Founder and Chief Playmaker highlighted, "Play is not a break from learning. Play and learning are synonyms," underscoring play's integral role in both healing and education.

Recognized Partnerships and Growth

The Playmaker Project's efforts have not gone unnoticed; it received the prestigious accreditation from the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET), confirming its rigorous training standards. This recognition grants the project the capability to offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs), facilitating the professional development of its members.

Through dynamic growth and sustained partnerships, the project extended its training to over 55 organizations throughout the nation, empowering teams to foster joy, engagement, and connection in their respective environments.

According to the report, a staggering 99.5% of trained Playmakers reported enhanced relationships with the children they care for, proving that positive interactions are vital to children's well-being—particularly in a landscape where anxiety and depression among youth are rising. These trained professionals also reported a 97.5% decline in burnout levels following their training, while 96.5% expressed renewed commitment to their roles.

Looking Ahead: Expanding the Playmaker Movement

In anticipation of 2026, The Playmaker Project is focused on bolstering support for educators while also deepening connections with early learning centers nationwide. The upcoming initiatives include launching Playmaker City Boston—a highly anticipated event gathering enthusiastic early childhood educators for immersive experiences at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway. This venture aims to cultivate the movement on a city-by-city basis, ensuring educators are provided with the resources they need to create transformative experiences for children.

Additionally, the initiative is set to launch a creative project encouraging children to express their visions of positivity through art. Kids will be invited to illustrate what makes life good, with their artworks transformed into limited-edition t-shirts. All proceeds from these t-shirts will directly benefit The Life is Good Playmaker Project, fostering children's voices and promoting empathy, creativity, and generosity.

The 2025 Impact Report is available online, offering an in-depth exploration of the programs that are shaping a brighter tomorrow by empowering the next generation of optimistic leaders.

In summary, the Life is Good Playmaker Project continues to make significant strides in supporting early childhood educators and driving impactful change for children affected by trauma. By investing in these nurturing relationships and equipping educators with the necessary skills, the initiative not only advocates for healing but also fosters a culture of optimism that resonates through our communities.

For further details, visit the Life is Good Playmaker Project Impact Report.