Paloma’s Play Corner (PPC) Project Overview

Paloma’s Play Corner (PPC) is a community-centered initiative designed to enhance the experience of young children and their families as they access services within local, non-profit, agencies in New Mexico. PPCs are thoughtfully designed play and learning spaces situated within waiting areas or designated areas of community-based agencies where families frequently visit for support or services.

This initiative recognizes that many families accessing health, social, or developmental services often spend significant time in agency spaces that lack developmentally appropriate environments for children. PPC addresses this gap by providing an engaging, safe, and inclusive play space that encourages early learning, supports caregiver-child interaction, and fosters a sense of welcome and dignity for all families.

Importantly, PPC is not a substitute for childcare. Rather, it serves as a complement to the services provided by agencies and businesses, enriching the environment for children and families while caregivers are present and engaged.                                                                                                                                                                  

Purpose of PPC

The purpose of Paloma’s Play Corner is to:

• Enhance child and family well-being by offering engaging, inclusive spaces that support play-based learning and connection.
• Improve family experiences in community-based agencies by making waiting or designated service areas more welcoming and responsive to children’s needs.
• Partner with local, non-profit agencies to integrate early childhood support into existing community  infrastructure.                                                                                                                                

 PPC Goals

1. Support Early Learning and Development:
   • Provide children with access to developmentally appropriate materials and activities that foster cognitive, language, social, and motor skills while in family-serving environments.
2. Enhance the Family Experience:
   • Create a warm, inviting space for families that acknowledge the needs of young children, reducing stress and supporting caregiver-child interactions during visits.
3. Promote Equity and Inclusion:
   • Ensure the play spaces are accessible to all children, regardless of ability, culture, or language, reflecting the diversity of the local community.
4. Build Community Partnerships:
   • Strengthen collaboration between PPC and New Mexico-based non-profit agencies by embedding child-centered spaces within trusted service locations.
5. Support Sustainability and Shared Responsibility:
   • Establish a sustainable model for maintaining the Play Corner, with agency-led oversight and a shared commitment to quality and upkeep.

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Here you can find some picture of some of the Paloma’s Play Corners we have done in the past to give you an idea of what we can do with certain spaces. Also, check out our video of a Paloma’s Play Corner that we created at our organization. We can always work with your entity to find the right space and materials that will work great for children and families that you serve. We strive to provide a very individualized experience that meets your needs. We are happy to schedule either a phone call, zoom, or in person meeting to talk more and answer any of your questions. Feel free to fill out the intake form and someone from our team will reach out to you as well as add you to our waiting list.

Check out the Paloma’s Play Corners that we have done…

Before and after pictures from 5 different Organization

13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office – Valencia County

13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office – Bernalillo County

State of New Mexico Office of the Attorney General

Albuquerque Indian Health Center

Other organizations that have benefited from having a PPC are:

Family Promise of Albuquerque

Consuelo’s Place @ Santa Fe

Enlace Comunitario

Family Promise of Albuquerque

The Grief Center

Valencia Shelter Services

And many more…

Testimonials:

Family Promise of Albuquerque

 “Dear Joel, thank you again so very much to you and Paloma for all the amazing work you two did this past Friday in restoring our playroom. We have already had 4 different families come in since and were so amazed at how great the playroom looked, the children have enjoyed all the new toys and this room has brought life back into the office! Thank you again so much”

-Family Promise of Albuquerque Staff.

Enlace Comunitario

Selection Criteria Summary

Before applying, please ensure your agency meets the following:

• Must be a non-profit, not-for-profit, or mission-driven business that provides or supports health, social, or developmental services for children and families, or a related field such as mental health, family support, inclusion, youth development, community outreach etc.
• PPC must be integrated as a complementary space, not a drop-off childcare or supervised care program.
• Business/Agency is not childcare, tutoring or other educational programming
• Children must be accompanied by a caregiver at all times when using the space.
• The Play Corner should be located in a waiting room or dedicated area where children and families regularly access services or support.

If your agency meets these criteria, please complete the application and provide responses to the following:

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