​For children to thrive, the adults in their lives must thrive too.

The Life is Good Playmaker Project is built on a simple but powerful belief: healing and growth happen through positive, supportive relationships. Drawing on decades of research about childhood development and the impact of trauma, the Playmaker approach helps educators and caregivers build the skills, mindset, and resilience needed to create environments where children feel safe, connected, and empowered to learn. Strong early relationships are proven to influence children's brain development, social-emotional growth, and long-term well-being.

At the Guild of St. Agnes, this philosophy aligns closely with our mission and our commitment to providing high-quality care for children and families across Central Massachusetts. We know that children regulate through relationships, and that dysregulated adults cannot effectively help children regulate themselves. By investing in our educators, we strengthen our ability to support every child in our care.

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Over the past year, thanks in part to support from the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, 50 Guild educators completed the Playmaker Project training. Through a train-the-trainer model, six staff members were selected as Playmaker Captains and received advanced training to help bring the Playmaker philosophy to even more educators. In April, these Captains led simultaneous workshops for more than 125 Guild staff members and Family Child Care Educators, launching a new cohort of Playmakers and expanding this work across our organization.

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Today, we proudly celebrate the graduation of over 100 Playmakers who have completed the program, recognize the dedication of our Playmaker Captains, honor the more than 150 Guild staff members who have participated in the training to date, and welcome our newest cohort beginning their Playmaker journey.

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This afternoon's keynote session will explore the research, principles, and impact of the Playmaker Project, while highlighting how relationship-based, strength-centered practices help children heal, learn, and flourish. Together, we are building a culture where optimism, connection, and resilience guide our work every day, ensuring that both children and the adults who care for them have the support they need to succeed.