SAY Detroit Play Center

08/25/2026

08/07/2026

Makerspace and Gardening teamed up to create handmade paper! Using recycled materials, our students then sourced pressed flowers, seeds, and natural elements from our Play garden. A beautiful blend of sustainability, creativity, and nature all crafted by hand. 🌱✨

08/04/2026

Sometimes the biggest impact happens long after a child leaves our doors. 🌱💚

We recently received this beautiful message from a parent that perfectly captures what we hope to cultivate every day at SAY Detroit Play Center:

“Ellison was so excited to bring veggies home from the SAY Detroit garden that we stopped at the market so she and her sister could make fresh mango, pepper, and tomato salsa. We took some to an outdoor movie at the Riverfront, and she brought the rest home to her dad. Gardening at camp rippled out to healthy snacks with two families and two households.”

This is why we do what we do.

Our gardening program, led by the incredible Ms. Kamry, is about so much more than planting seeds. It’s about nurturing curiosity, building confidence, encouraging healthy habits, and giving our youth skills they can carry home and continue growing every day.

Moments like these remind us that when we invest in our children, the impact reaches far beyond our center—it grows into homes, families, and our community.

Thank you to this family for sharing your story, and thank you, Ms. Kamry, for planting seeds that continue to bloom. 🌿✨

07/28/2026

Leadership starts from within. 🌟

This summer, our students have been participating in the Lead Beyond the Surface (LBTS) Youth Leadership Institute, led by Cedric. Throughout the program, they’ve explored what it truly means to lead with confidence, integrity, and purpose.

Through interactive activities, meaningful discussions, and team-building challenges, students have been developing the character, mindset, and practical skills needed to make a positive impact in their schools, families, teams, and communities.

At SAY Play, we believe the strongest leaders are built from the inside out—and we’re proud to invest in the next generation of changemakers. 🌟

LeadershipDevelopment SummerDiscover2026

07/14/2026

Our Makerspace turned into a design studio as our students got a hands on, behind-the-scenes look at the summer program t-shirt making process. From watching the design come to life to learning how each shirt is created, they experienced the creativity, technology, and teamwork that go into making something they can proudly wear. 🎨👕🎨

Hands-on experiences like these help spark curiosity, encourage self-expression, and show our youth that learning can happen in exciting and creative ways. 💙✨

07/02/2026

Week one of our Summer Program is officially in the books! ☀️📚

We’ve wasted no time diving right into learning while making space for plenty of fun along the way. From engaging activities and hands-on experiences to lots of laughter and new friendships, our campers are already off to an incredible start.

We can’t wait to see all the growth, memories, and adventures the rest of the summer has in store! 💙✨

06/15/2026

☀️ Adventure awaits! We’ve got an exciting lineup of summer field trips in store for our kids! 🚌✨ Let the fun, laughter, and experiences begin! 🌈🎒

06/05/2026

At the beginning of the school year, we rolled out the red carpet for excellence, not fully knowing all that the year had ahead of us. Looking back, we are filled with gratitude for everything we have accomplished together as a team and community.

From grand openings, memorable events, meaningful milestones, and countless achievements, this school year has been filled with growth, collaboration, and moments worth celebrating. None of this would have been possible without the dedication, passion, and support of our staff, students, families, and community.

Thank you for a wonderful 2025–2026 school year. Wishing everyone a safe, joyful, and well deserved summer! 🩵💙

06/04/2026

🚍 We’re Hiring: Transportation Specialist! 🚍

Do you have a passion for working with youth and a commitment to safety? Join the SAY Detroit Play Center team as a Transportation Specialist!

In this role, you’ll help ensure children arrive safely to and from our after-school program while creating a positive and supportive environment during every ride. We’re looking for someone with excellent driving skills, strong communication abilities, and a dedication to keeping our youth safe.

✅ Valid Michigan Driver’s License required
✅ Safe driving record required
✅ Experience working with children preferred
✅ Monday–Friday schedule (1:30 PM – 7:30 PM)

If you’re dependable, caring, and ready to make a difference in the lives of Detroit youth, we’d love to hear from you!

Please apply via email to [email protected] 💙

06/02/2026

☀️ Summer Resource Hub Hours ☀️

As we head into the summer season, we wanted to share our updated hours for the SAY Play Resource Hub:

Summer Schedule:
Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

📍 Please note: Regular hours will resume September 24th.

Please contact our Partnership manager, Amber Mitchell for more information at [email protected]