Play Matters

Play Matters is a recreational leadership program for students in Oklahoma City high schools.  It is designed to assist students in making transition from school to work or post-secondary education.

Students participate in experience-based recreational activities which promote life skills in communication, advocacy, and mentoring.

Play Matters encourages students to increase their potential for employment, socialization, and independence.

Goals and Objectives

• To improve life skills for students using recreation and leisure activities to offer experiences for personal growth and learning;
• To increase the ability of students to advocate for themselves and others;
• To help students achieve success by providing opportunities for inclusion, learning to network, and developing mentor and peer support relationships; and
• To enhance job seeking skills.

Scheduling

Play Matters holds four Academies each year.  Each Academy consists of seven sessions over a three-week period.  Students strengthen leadership and career-building skills during each session as they design a t-shirt, climb a pole at a challenge course, create a drum circle, and participate in other hands-on activities.

Play Matters welcomes the involvement and sponsorship of Oklahoma City community organizations and businesses to build an on-going resource for the community.co

Play Matters is funded under a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services.  The program is held in cooperation with the Oklahoma City Public Schools, Special Services, and Metro Tech, Springlake campus.

For more information about the above programs and services

Contact Jeanette Doty, Director, at (405) 325-1055

FAX (405) 325-1632

e-mail:  jdoty@ou.edu