As Olney High School graduate Sheila De La Cruz prepares for college this fall, they're working as a Philadelphia play captain helping to bring safe fun to neighborhood streets in Kensington.

Whose Streets? A summer Philly staple transforms through the pandemic and the city's gun violence crisis

42 teens ran neighborhood play spaces around Philly this summer, engaging younger children while learning to be leaders themselves.

‘Children still live there’: The fight for safe summer play in Kensington

New children’s book about ‘Play Captains’ stars a real life Philly ‘Yaya’

Philly's Teen ‘Play Captains' Help Kids Have Fun While Staying Safe

Play Captains bring Playstreets to life in Kensington

Philadelphia has a lifeguard shortage. This program paid teens to fill the gap.

City councilmember calls for hearings on Philadelphia Youth Network after summer of complaints about teens not getting paid

Philly organizations complain after nonprofit fumbles paying teen workers

PlayStreets hires teens to run programs on Philly blocks, and trains them to respond to gunfire

Philly neighborhoods celebrate teen ‘play captains’ at kickoff event

El programa “Play Captains” intenta motivar a los niños a salir a la calle a jugar, mientras que adolescentes pueden aprender a ser mejores líderes cuidando y ayudando a los menores.

Teens Honored at Play Captain Celebration

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Fab Youth Philly Partner for Teen Lifeguard Training.

Philadelphia Youth Network promises changes in Work Ready program after summer of complaints

After concerns of violence closed a pool and several Playstreets, neighborhood groups are working to shift perceptions of Kensington

Play Captains work and play with children at Norris Square Park in Philadelphia on Wednesday, July 14, 2021.

Philly is making it easier to turn your block into a place for play this summer

Playstreets of Wonder program helps kids get a leg up on summer learning