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Audacious Impact: Jen Rifkin of Volo Kids Foundation On Leading An Audacious, Visionary…
The Volo Kids Foundation exemplifies how organizations can leverage play to create impactful community programs that foster social and emotional development in children. By removing barriers to participation and engaging local communities, Volo Kids not only enhances children's lives but also sets a standard for other organizations aiming to make a meaningful difference in society.
Authority Magazine: Audacious Impact: Jen Rifkin of Volo Kids Foundation On Leading An Audacious, Visionary, Impact-Focused Program An Interview With Rachel Kline -- Listen Share Our dream is to have 1 million kids playing. To us, 1 million kids playing isn’t just a number — it means that 1 million kids have had the opportunity to get active, to make friends, to learn important life skills, and to just have fun! Our dream is to have 1 million kids playing.
To us, 1 million kids playing isn’t just a number — it means that 1 million kids have had the opportunity to get active, to make friends, to learn important life skills, and to just have fun! In an era where social and environmental challenges are increasingly pressing, certain organizations stand out for their bold and innovative approaches to creating meaningful impact. These trailblazing organizations are not just meeting the status quo but are setting new standards for what can be achieved through dedicated, impact-focused programs.
What does it take to pioneer such transformative initiatives, and what can others learn from their successes? As a part of this series, we had the pleasure to interview Jen Rifkin. Jen Rifkin is the Executive Director of the Volo Kids Foundation, where she leads national programming across 11 markets and has helped scale the organization to serve nearly 30,000 kids annually. A former educator with nearly a decade of classroom experience, Jen is passionate about ensuring all children have access to the social, emotional, and developmental benefits of play.
She is based in Baltimore, Maryland. Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you share a bit about your background and what has led you to your current role? I have a background in education, having spent nearly a decade in the classroom as a teacher in Baltimore County. Though I loved working with kids in that capacity, I found that I wanted to be able to choose the impact that I could have on their growth and development.
While still teaching, I was working part time for Volo, the for–profit partner of Volo Kids (two like-minded organizations rooted in providing community through sports, both founded by Giovanni Marcantoni). Through my work with Volo, I was introduced to Volo Kids, and was immediately reminded of why I began working with kids in the first place: the knowledge that the social and emotional benefits of education go beyond scripted lesson plans, and that kids desperately need and deserve equal access to these benefits.
I knew then that I wanted to dedicate my career to making this access a reality, and that Volo Kids provided the opportunity for me to do just that. What inspired you to start or join your organization, and what is its core mission? Play is at the core of everything we do here at Volo Kids. We use play to build communities of active, resilient, and confident kids.
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The article discusses a significant initiative by the Volo Kids Foundation that showcases innovative community engagement strategies, which can inspire brand strategy professionals focused on social impact.