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Amy Jaffe Barzach

Ranked #1,276 in Nonprofits, #279,275 overall

Founder of Boundless Playgrounds

Amy Jaffe Barzach is the founder of Boundless Playgrounds, an organization created to develop barrier-free, developmentally advantageous playgrounds.

After the death of her son Jonathan from a rare condition, Amy found a way to cope with the grief of losing her son by creating a living memorial for him.

She was inspired by a little girl in a wheelchair who was unable to join the other children on a playground and decided to build a place where everyone could play, a Boundless Playground. For her ability to turn a tragedy into a living tribute, I would like to introduce this SuperHero, Amy Jaffe Barzach.

Amy Jaffe Barzach's Story

Building the Dream of Play for All

A little girl in a wheelchair sat on the sidelines fighting back tears as she watched the other children play on a playground she couldn't get on. She probably wondered why the playground wasn't a place where everyone could play.

Several months later, after the heartbreaking death of their nine-month-old son Jonathan from spinal muscular atrophy, Amy Jaffe Barzach and her husband Peter sought a meaningful way to honor his memory.

Remembering the little girl in the wheelchair, they decided to create a playground where children with and without disabilities could play and learn together.

With the support of 1,200 volunteers, that memorial playground opened in 1996. After the playground opened, hundreds of people wanted to know how they could build playgrounds for children of all abilities in their communities. In 1997, Boundless Playgrounds was founded with a passionate team of parents and professionals.

Source: Boundless Playgrounds. "Shouldn't Playgrounds Be for Everyone?" Brochure.
Important!

Deal with Loss by Celebrating Life.

Amy Jaffe Barzach's Inspirational Words

Boundless Playgrounds - A Last Minute Superhero Entry

You never know where inspiration will hit for creating lenses.

Amy Jaffee Barzach's amazing project Boundless Playgrounds was an 11th hour entry for me, the 11th Superhero lens that I created for the challenge.

I was relaxing on the beach reading a "Woman's World" magazine and watching my daughters build sandcastles at one of our favorite local lakes. I was pretty happy with the fact that I'd already made 10 lenses for the Superheroes, an organizing lens and created a group to feature everyone's efforts.

The July 7th issue "Woman's World" had a section on "Doing Good" they had a feature article about Amy Jaffe Barzach and Boundless Playgrounds.

By the time I'd reached the end of the article, I knew it would have to be made into a SuperHero lens and was already roughing out the lens sections. Since I'd been in the position of facing losing a child myself (but thankfully did not) and now was watching both of my girls happily playing on the beach, I wanted to help spread the word about her inspiring efforts with Boundless Playgrounds.

We left the lake a bit earlier than planned and I went home to create a lens got it in by the midnight deadline (I wasn't sure if it was midnight New York time or midnight California time). I was very relieved when Anne emailed back that she'd gotten the last entry.

Image Source: C. Thompson. Sandcastles on the Beach.

Amy Jaffe Barzach and Boundless Playgrounds is Lens of the Day

On July 7, the Superhero lens Amy Jaffe Barzach was named Lens of the Day.

With this honor comes the added recognition of being the first of five winners of the Superheroes challenge for charity.

Even better, as one of the winners of the Superhero challenge $500 will be donated from Squidoo to help the next playground be built.

Boundless Playgrounds

Boundless Playgrounds is the first national nonprofit dedicated to helping communities create extraordinary barrier-free playgrounds where children, with and without disabilities, can develop essential skills for life as they learn together through play.

Through Boundless Playgrounds Amy is helping to challenge cultural stereotypes and current practices that exclude children with disabilities from public play spaces.

Boundless Playgrounds works to create environments where children of all abilities can have the best opportunities for healthy development.

Characteristics of a Boundless Playground

On a Boundless playground you will find:
  • Every child can reach the highest play deck
  • Play structures configured to support children's development
  • Universally accessible pathways and surfacing
  • Cozy spots where everyone can gather
  • Equipment like swings and bouncers with back support
  • Elevated sand tables and activity panels where children of all abilities can play together
  • Sensory-rich activities that let the imagination soar
  • Everyone can be in the middle of the fun!

Reasons Why Amy Jaffe Barzach is a SuperHero

  1. Amy Jaffe Barzach's Story
  3. Boundless Playgrounds
  4. Characteristics of a Boundless Playground
  5. Promotional Video for Boundless Playgrounds on YouTube
  6. More on Boundless Playgrounds
  7. Happy Boundless Playground Players
  8. Celebrating Jonathan
  9. Happy Boundless Playground Girl
  10. The Smile Says it All
  11. Boundless Playground in Los Angeles

Is Amy Jaffe Barzach your superhero too?

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Yes. She's an inspiration.

beachbum_gabby says:

Of course, when there's someone who is determined to help the needy and that person is Amy.

Posted August 03, 2008

Shawna-Tayler says:

I love it when one person sees a need and is determined to find a way to fill it. Thanks for telling us about Amy Jaffe Barzach

Posted July 16, 2008

CertifiedHandy says:

Of course. Whenever a person works to make life better for others I have to stand with them. Blessings to you Amy in all you do...

Posted July 16, 2008

susanelainegalloway says:

She is an Angel with a Big Heart.

Posted July 09, 2008

sangeeta says:

She's fantastic. Is there any way we can reach out to Amy?

Posted July 09, 2008

debsgreatfinds says:

Amy First off sorry about your son that is wonderful that you came up with a playground for all kids to play in may your son live on in the memories of the park..

Posted July 08, 2008

DrD says:

This so totally rocks, and this lady and others like her are sure heroes, sure winners and superbly inspiring! Man keep 'em coming, folks like me and others need to hear about success, it's helps us keep believing that it can happen when the need shows itself and someone with courage like Amy has, chooses not to run from the challenge!

Posted July 08, 2008

MyNashville360 says:

We sure are fortunate enough to have you here on this world. I am really touched by your lens. Great job and keep up the good work. :)

Posted July 08, 2008

DrD says:

This lady is a fantastic representative of what is possible when a person can take their view and enlarge it. She is an inspiration and I appreciate so much being inspired by her and folks like her.

Posted July 08, 2008

Starving_Artist says:

a really great non-profit...I really hope word gets around about this.

Posted July 08, 2008

No. I have someone else in mind.

 
view all 29 comments

The Boundless Playgrounds Dream

Our Dream...for every child, a place to play:

Every Child!
Every Ability!
Everywhere!

Boundless Playgrounds: A Superhero Challenge winner!

Superheroes won't accept limits.

ComfortDoc introduces us to just such a Superhero with her amazing lens on Amy Jaffe Barzach and Boundless Playgrounds. It's the first of five winners of our Superheroes challenge for charity.

Amy founded Boundless Playgrounds so that all children can play together. The people at Boundless Playgrounds create "barrier-free" playgrounds so handicapped children can play with all the other kids.

Amy translated her own personal tragedy into doing something so that all children can have fun together. Nothing to stop them.

Thanks to you, the Squidoo community, and to ComfortDoc, $500 will be donated to help the next playground be built.

A visit to the playground anyone?

http://www.squidoo.com/boundless-playgrounds

AnneReidy

Source: Squidoo LOTD Blog. July 7th, 2008. Boundless Playgrounds: A Superhero Challenge winner!
Image Source: 500 Dollar Prize. Modified from Wikimedia. U.S. 100 Dollar Front. Government Image.

Promotional Video for Boundless Playgrounds on YouTube

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Boundless Playgrounds on Flickr

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More on Boundless Playgrounds

Boundless Playgrounds
The main website for Boundless Playgrounds
Boundless Playgrounds - Find Playgrounds & Virtual Tour - Find a Playground
Find Boundless Playgrounds & Virtual Tour
Boundless Playgrounds - Get Involved - Volunteer Opportunities
Ways you can Get Involved with Boundless Playgrounds
Boundless Playgrounds - Ways to Give - Make a Difference
Ways to Give and Make a Difference with Boundless Playgrounds
How to Donate to Boundless Playgrounds
How you can Donate to Boundless Playgrounds

Happy Boundless Playground Players 

Another Boundless Playground Video on YouTube

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Boundless Playgrounds Brochure

"Shouldn't Playgrounds Be for Everyone?" Brochure
PDF file of the brochure from Boundless Playgrounds on "Shouldn't Playgrounds Be for Everyone?"
"Fun For All Facts" Brochure
PDF file of the brochure from Boundless Playgrounds on "Fun For All Facts," a brochure that explains how the playgrounds work.

High Expectations in the Amazon Spotlight

High Expectations: Playgrounds for Children of All Abilities

High Expectations: Playgrounds for Children of All Abilities

by: J. Schappet, A. Malkusak, L. D. Bruya

Amazon Price: $3.74 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

Published by the National Center for Boundless Playgrounds this limitedly available book is a winning blueprint for creating optimal, developmentally sound play environments.

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Read More about Amy Jaffe Barzach & Boundless Playgrounds

Connecting Moms interviews Amy Jaffe Barzach
An Interview with Amy Jaffe Barzach from Jul 31, 2007 from Connecting Moms.
No Barriers to Fun, Friendship on Boundless Playgrounds
An article on Boundless Playgrounds on the WK Kellogg Foundation website.
Amy Barzach | Ashoka.org
Amy Jaffe Barzach is a featured member on the Ashoka International Website.
A place to heal.
An article from Hallmark Magazine Summer 2008, "A place to heal" about how Boundless Playgrounds is making a difference to a Iraq War Veteran.
Stand on a Better World | 2006 Stand on a Better World Award Winners | Amy Jaffe Barzach
Amy Jaffe Barzach has inspired a movement, rallying tens of thousands of people around the idea that all children, with and without disabilities, deserve and need a place to play because play is an essential component of healthy development for everyone.

The Right Words at the Right Time Volume 2 in the Amazon Spotlight

The Right Words at the Right Time Volume 2: Your Turn!

The Right Words at the Right Time Volume 2: Your Turn!

by: Marlo Thomas, Bruce Kluger, Carl Robbins, David Tabatsky

Amazon Price: $0.01 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

Amy Jaffe Barzach's inspirational story "Celebrating Jonathan" is one of the many inspirational collected stories from people describing times when well-chosen words impacted their lives.

Celebrating Jonathan

An Excerpt by Amy Jaffe Barzach on Celebrating Jonathan
Celebrating Jonathan by Amy Jaffe Barzach is an excerpt from the book, The Right Words at The Right Time - Volume 2 by Marlo Thomas.

Happy Boundless Playground Girl 

Amy's Hope

I hope someday we're no needed anymore, because all playground will be like this!

Until then... I see Jonathan in all the smiles.
And I can't help thinking:

Maybe he chose us. Because he knew we'd do something good to honor his life.

Amy Jaffe Barzach

The Smile Says it All 

Blog Posts about Boundless Playgrounds

Building a Boundless Playground
By Dave Leval FRASER, Mi. (My TV 20 News at 10) - Winter continues to grip our area. But, Spring is not too far away from happening. That means many kids will get out of the house and run and play. But, that's not the case with all children.
Synthetic Turf Council Accepting Entries for its Annual Search for the Real ...
"Winning this national competition in 2011 for our Taylor's Dream Boundless Playground was a great honor,? said Alvin R. Moll, Jr., Director, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department. ?The playground is extremely popular with families and children of ...
Aiken County dedicates new all-accessible playground
The playground is Boundless Playgrounds certified. Boundless Playgrounds is a nonprofit organization with a vision to create all-inclusive environments where children of all abilities can play together. City of Aiken Mayor Fred Cavanaugh said this is ...
Help MPS playground campaign
Those of us who spend time with young children know firsthand how important it is for them to have time and space to expend their seemingly boundless energy. Having a safe place for them to play is critical as well. With its location next to the ...
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American Playgrounds: Revitalizing Community Space on Amazon

American Playgrounds: Revitalizing Community Space

American Playgrounds: Revitalizing Community Space

by: Susan G. Solomon

Amazon Price: $31.70 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

Susan Solomon's groundbreaking and marvelously illustrated American Playgrounds book highlights the problems with contemporary playgrounds, tender sorely needed strategies with which to redress them, and stimulate national debate about today's crisis of undervalued public space.

Boundless Playground in Los Angeles 

From Disability to Possibility on Amazon

From Disability to Possibility: The Power of Inclusive Classrooms

From Disability to Possibility: The Power of Inclusive Classrooms

by: Patrick Schwarz

Amazon Price: $17.05 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

Ideal for general educators, special educators, administrators, educational leaders, related service professionals, paraeducators and self-advocates, From Disability to Possibility illustrates, through stories of struggle and success, how creative, conscientious teachers can work with everyone involved in a student's learning to make special education work.

Books on Raising a Child with a Disability on Amazon

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A Featured Lens on Loss, Grief & Bereavement

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The Latest News about Boundless Playgrounds

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A Featured SuperHero Group Lens

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A Featured Lens about the Squidoo SuperHero Project

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P.S. I made this lens for the Squidoo Superheroes Project

I was invited to participate in the Squidoo Superhero Project, making 5 lenses in 2 weeks about the people who have inspired me, mentored me, changed the way I look at the world. The people I just want to say a big loud public THANKS to.

If you buy anything from this page, you'll automatically (for free, of course) be sending a royalty straight to the Squidoo Charity Fund, which pays out to nonprofits like JDRF and Room to Read and Donors Choose every month.

Be Sure to Visit My Other SuperHero Lenses

SuperHero Lenses dedicated to others who have risen above overwhelming challenges to triumph in the face of tragedy.
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