welcome to the village |
About Play Cousins Collective |
Play Cousins Collective, founded in 2017, is a family-centered network committed to building strong support systems around children. The group envisions a future where all children grow up free to live well, enjoy their childhood, and succeed in life. Motivated by findings in a 2017 city report that revealed shorter life spans and greater health concerns among marginalized residents due to widespread challenges, Play Cousins formed as a response. What began as a small circle of dedicated mothers and caregivers gathering over meals has grown into a powerful local effort. At its heart is the belief that families in historically disconnected communities carry a rich legacy and a deep well of strength—and that by working together, we can raise children who thrive and build communities that are safer, healthier, and more connected. |
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Their experiences living in West Louisville stood in stark contrast to the narratives portrayed on the news and radio—stories that too often cast their neighborhoods in a negative light, while long-standing systems such as heavy policing, displacement, and inequitable labor practices continued to extract value from their communities. In reality, the lives they lived were rich with joy: beautiful parks, local businesses, nonprofits, cultural events, and neighbors who showed up for each other. Rather than internalize harmful stereotypes, they chose to focus on what was working—to highlight the good, grow it, and lean into their ability to define themselves and their communities with pride and purpose. They started with a newsletter that lifted up public events and programs celebrating children and families in underrepresented areas. It included book recommendations, activities, and affirming messages tailored for families whose experiences were often left out of mainstream resources. They began hosting pop-up playdates in local parks, sharing the newsletter and inviting others to join the growing “village” of care and connection. They weren’t trying to “fix” their community—they were building something new. A different kind of world, where members are the main characters in their own story and possibilities are wide open. A world where cultural identity is seen as a source of strength, not as a challenge to overcome. In this world, success, health, and joy are expected—not exceptional. Drawing from cultural traditions, oral history, and generational wisdom, the collective taps into time-tested ways to build well-being, prevent illness, and promote sustainability. Practices like shared caregiving, neighborhood-based support systems, resource exchanges, gardening, nature-based play, and gentle parenting are all part of a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures both families and culture. With a commitment to building pathways for healing and connectedness, Play Cousins Collective has welcomed over 1,000 members—primarily families in West Louisville—into its growing network of care. While deeply rooted in the local community, the collective’s reach extends nationally through online programs, family-centered workshops, speaking engagements, and event-based childcare services. Operating through four focus areas—caregiver support, youth enrichment, community healing, and civic engagement—Play Cousins Collective is sparking meaningful change at both the neighborhood and systems level. |
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