Have you ever considered the true power that play has on our mental and physical health? The experts at THE PLAYGROUNDgr, a local nonprofit committed to bridging the disparities in the realm of play therapy, know exactly how deep and long-lasting the impacts can be.
Jacqueline Scherer, LMSW, RPT™ leads the THE PLAYGROUNDgr as Founder and Executive Director. The nonprofit—which works alongside over 52 partners and 222 neighbors a week—is the only one in the U.S. providing free, in-community play therapy-based supports and workshops. A seasoned professional with over 23 years of experience, Scherer was named 2025 Michigan Play Therapist of the Year—and for good reason. Her contributions to the field at large have been innovative and monumental, in addition to creating the only organization in the country that offers free play therapy, right in our own backyard.
“Research continues to clearly show the essentiality that play supports in emotional and body regulation, self-expression, and overall mental and medical wellness,” Scherer said. “An increase of play for mere minutes a date can have a prolonged impact on attachment, anxiousness, a grief journey, mental illness and much, much more. Play supports and trains our brain and body ways to manage life, relationships and stressors that no other strategy has the capacity to do. Research is clear: play heals!”
Though Play Therapy™ isn’t immediately accessible to everyone in the community, Sherer is working to change that.
“Play Therapy™ is one of the most effective modalities for healing trauma and addressing emotional wellness, grief, attachment and overall mental health needs,” Sherer said. “But because it requires specialized training from an already qualified licensed mental health professional, it’s often offered in locations and at prices that are inaccessible to families, particularly in our downtown Grand Rapids community.”
Part of THE PLAYGROUNDgr’s exciting programming is the upcoming sixth annual Grand Rapids Plays, taking place September 19 from 1 – 3:30 p.m. at Congress Elementary (940 Baldwin St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506). This free event invites the community to simply show up and enjoy participating in activities and other play led activities that may not be accessible in other scenarios.
“All of THE PLAYGROUNDgr experiences and seasonal events are free to our neighbors and families, but Grand Rapids Plays is extra special, as it was our first community experience we ever hosted, five years ago!” Sherer shared. “Grand Rapids Plays started with a dream. As a foster parent and mental health professional, I wanted to create an outdoor space where neighbors could come together, and access play experts without the stigmas of play, without the burden of costs, and in a space that already felt safe with easy access.”
Sherer says that reach continues to showcase data around urban spaces and play.
“Play in communities that center around family engaged experiences increase communication, attachment and overall neighborhood safety,” she said. “We do this by bringing experts to one space, for free, to offer hands-on experiences such as: nature play, mindfulness-based play, drumming, yoga, break dancing, circus arts, play therapy-based strategies and much, much more.”
Launching this event, Sherer explains, was a step in the right direction in decreasing the stigma of play, and furthermore opening the doors and windows to meetings, and learning about and experiencing therapists and play therapy-based activities in our community.
“Grand Rapids Plays offers community in a way that reduces vulnerabilities and builds in access,” she said. “We are incredibility grateful to our community sponsors: Experience Grand Rapids, Uptown Grand Rapids, Congress Elementary and over 11 additional community partners.
”Those looking to attend the event can expect opportunities to play and connect while outside at Congress Elementary, with activities like yoga, nature play, drumming, break dancing, circus arts, and more.
“These hands-on experiences provide play in the brain stem, mid-brain, limbic and cortical cortex, while providing boosts of serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and more,” Sherer explained. “These are the chemicals that support management of stress, mood support, sleep hygiene, happiness, love and connection … who doesn’t want more of that?”
Those who want to learn more are encouraged to visit theplaygroundgr.org for more.
“We offer opportunities to volunteer, participate in our events, sign up for our programming, invest and more,” Sherer shared. “After Grand Rapids Plays, our next opportunity to get involved is to attend Play Soleil, our circus-themed gala held at GLC 20 Monroe Live on October 1! We would love to share more over tea or coffee. Until then, go, go, go and play!”
Watch the video below to get a closer look at last year’s event:
Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for West Michigan Woman.
Photos courtesy of THEPLAYGROUNDgr.