A Joyful Day That Meant So Much More
I’ll never forget the look on the children’s faces the day the new playground opened at Today’s Harbor for Children. It was pure, unstoppable joy. They ran. They climbed. They laughed from their bellies. But for me—and for everyone who helped make that playground a reality—it was more than a ribbon-cutting or a piece of equipment. It was a message. A promise. A seed planted in good soil.
Because what we gave those children that day wasn’t just a playground. We gave them possibilities.
The Hidden Cost of Trauma
For decades, I’ve worked with and supported organizations that serve children who’ve been neglected, abused, or abandoned. These kids are survivors. But the cost of trauma doesn’t always show up in obvious ways.
It shows up in the child who doesn’t speak much, or flinches when touched. It shows up in the one who doesn’t trust easily, who has learned the hard way that not all adults follow through on their promises.
That’s why safe spaces are so important. Spaces where a child doesn’t have to look over their shoulder. Where no one’s yelling. Where they’re allowed to just be kids again. Spaces that remind them they are worthy of joy, safety, and stability.
Why Playgrounds Matter
Some might see a playground as a luxury. I see it as a tool for healing.
Playgrounds do more than provide fun. They encourage imagination. They spark confidence. They teach cooperation, patience, and problem-solving. They let kids test boundaries and discover their own abilities—all in a healthy, safe environment.
For kids living in residential care or group homes like Boys & Girls Harbor, (now, Today’s Harbor for Children), a playground becomes more than just a place to play. It becomes a part of their emotional recovery. It’s a space that says, “You matter. You’re allowed to feel joy. You’re safe here.”
And when those kids helped design their own dream playground? It told them their voice matters, too.
The Day It Came to Life
In December 2013, thanks to the generosity of Quantum Resources Management and the amazing folks at KaBOOM!, we made that dream playground a reality. Over 150 volunteers came out—people who could’ve spent their day doing anything else but chose to serve.
I remember watching kids press their faces to the windows as the slides, climbing walls, and swings were assembled. The excitement was contagious. For many of them, it was the first time they had something brand new made just for them.
That moment—that image—is etched in my memory forever.
Why This Work Matters to Me
People often ask me why I support children’s causes so passionately. The answer is simple: because children don’t get to choose the circumstances they’re born into.
They don’t get to decide whether their parents stay or leave. They don’t get to pick the neighborhood, the income level, or the emotional support they receive—or don’t.
But we, as adults, do get to choose what kind of world we build around them. We get to decide if we’ll be passive observers of their struggle or active builders of their future.
That’s what I’ve tried to do through my work with Today’s Harbor for Children, through scholarships, and yes—even through a simple playground.
A Safe Space is a Start—Not the Finish Line
Let me be clear: a playground doesn’t solve every problem. These kids still need consistent mentorship, education, therapy, and love. But what it does provide is a foundation. A symbol. A safe place to dream.
Because when a child feels safe, everything else becomes possible.
They’re more open to learning. They’re more likely to build friendships. They’re more willing to trust again. And when they start to believe in others, they begin to believe in themselves.
That’s when the real transformation happens.
What I Hope They Remember
Years from now, when those kids are adults with children of their own, I hope they remember the day they got their playground. I hope they remember the feeling of being seen, valued, and celebrated. I hope they tell their children, “You’re safe. Go play.”
Because sometimes, it takes just one experience like that to shift a person’s outlook for life. One moment of joy. One memory of freedom. One sign that someone believed in them.
That’s what we gave. And that’s what we’ll keep giving.
Let’s Keep Building
To those who supported that project, thank you. To the volunteers, donors, and staff who showed up with gloves and tools, thank you. To the children—your laughter made it all worth it.
And to anyone reading this who wonders if small things make a difference: they do. A swing set. A basketball hoop. A place to sit in the sun without fear. These are not just extras. These are essentials in the healing journey of a child.
Let’s keep building safe spaces. Let’s keep planting seeds of joy, trust, and possibility.
Because one day, that child who’s running across the playground today may grow up to be the leader who builds the next one.
And I can’t think of a better legacy than that.