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Because we have triplets, one with Spina Bifida, the Center for Creative Play is the ideal place for our family to come. It is a place where all my children have fun. If I bring the children to the playground at a rehabilitation institute, my typically developing children feel out of place. If I take them to a park playground, my son with special needs can't participate in all of the games with the other children and so many people stare or ask questions. The Center is a place where we all fit in and have fun.
—Nicole, 4 children, one-year-old and three-year-old triplets
We just came to Pittsburgh last month. At home in Atlanta, I worked part-time and of course, had lots of friends with young children. Now I am not working and we know no one.
I walked into the Center for Creative Play and I couldn't believe it. I immediately called my husband on my cell and I told him how great it was. I told him that there are tons of toys perfect for our daughter and that the colors are fantastic.
As we continued to play, a few other moms came up and talked to me. Adults to talk to, can you believe it?! My daughter and I had a ball at the Center. I know that we will be spending tons of time here over the next year.
—Alice, 1 child, 18-month old
I have two boys. Ryan is typically developing, loves to play outside, loves to run and play, and is in that stage where he says "no" to everything I tell him. Seth has developmental delays. It started with physical delays, which led to the realization that he had speech, cognitive and fine motor delays. As he continues to develop, his behavior has become much more of a concern. His latest diagnosis is autism and mental retardation.
I have been feeling really isolated. My husband and I have not been out by ourselves since Ryan was born. I am home alone with the kids all day, every day. The oldest wants to play outside and the youngest can not handle the stimulation of outdoor play-it makes for very long days.
Finally, I was given two free passes to the Center. When I got there the staff demanded that I sign up for Our Time. They told me that my mental health is crucial to the long-term development of my kids. BOTH of my kids had a wonderful time at the Center. I just can't believe that Seth played and enjoyed himself. He never does this. I know that we will come back often. I think we've finally found some place to go.
—Alicia, 2 children, 2 ½ years old and 18-months old
I have been involved with the Center since its inception as a volunteer. The Center for Creative Play brings people together around a common interest. It is not about fixing or taking care of. It is about kids playing, families connecting, and activities that people can share. You are not strategizing to make inclusion work. You are focusing on offering opportunities that encourage people to have a great time.
As a community member I am touched, moved, and inspired by the work of the Center for Creative Play. I am also the parent of two teens who have had the opportunity to spend time working at the Center. Their lives will never be the same. They talk about what community is in a way that took me years to understand.
It has been a gift to be involved with the work of the Center for Creative Play. I am looking forward to providing whatever support is necessary during your unexpected, upcoming move, and as you expand. Thanks to you, the board and to the staff for your dedication to community work.
—Ilene, volunteer
Here (at the Center for Creative Play) one can find a wealth of toys and activities for children of every age, far too many for any one household to own. The computer room is where my oldest daughter had her first encounter with a computer, before we could afford to have one at home. There is an art room where painting, coloring, gluing, and building can be done; materials are varied and plentiful, and messes are easily cleaned up. The area for more active play is great for children who are in the mood to jump, climb, spin, or slide, and padding on the floor enhances safety. The ball pit is a nice touch, too.
The Center for Creative Play is one of the best places to go on rainy days or during the winter. I often take my two daughters to the Center and make a day of it. We usually pack a lunch and make use of the big lunchroom with its kid-sized tables and chairs, refrigerator, and kitchen sink. Sometimes we buy snacks and drinks that are conveniently available there. And when nature calls the miniature toilets and sinks are perfect for the little ones-they help with potty training, too!
The Center for Creative Play seems to have just about everything. What more could anyone ask for?
—Michael, 2 children, 5-years old and 20-months old
For me The Center for Creative Play goes far beyond being a fun, exciting and safe place for my children to play. It's unique and wonderful in many ways. The Center for Creative Play is equipped with great staff and volunteers who are warm and caring.
Acceptance and inclusion are offered at the Center for Creative Play. It's a place where I don't have to fear being judged by others for how my child with special needs may be behaving. The Center for Creative Play is a place where my children learn to treat all children as equals. They learn how to play and interact with other special needs children. At the same time, it's a place where my child with special needs can learn from other children who are typically developing.
Quality and affordable respite care is offered on a regular basis at the Center for Creative Play. I never have to feel guilty or worrisome when I take them to "Our Time" because it's a place where they want to be. As a mother of a child with special needs, it means the world to us to have a place like the Center for Creative Play that welcomes my child with open arms into their facility and programs-to convey the feeling to me that they want him and his siblings there despite his differences and behaviors.
I feel a strong sense of belonging for my children at the Center for Creative Play. It is truly a blessing.
—Renae, 3 children, all under the age of 5
I have two children, a two-year-old who is typically developing and a six-year-old with PDD (pervasive developmental disorder). Our Time offers real help to special needs children and families. When you have children, particularly children with special needs, you need to find creative ways to get things done. Typically, when our children are at Our Time, my husband and I split up for the first couple of hours and run errands. For the second half, we meet back at the house and watch a movie - which would be virtually impossible with the children at home. It is also a place where the children can go, have a wonderful time, and learn social skills in a natural play setting. It is one of the few places where both my children can go together. There is something for every child to do whether or not they have special needs. In addition to Our Time, we held Clara's birthday party at the Center this year and everyone had a wonderful time.
I really love the Center. I have worked in human services for many years, and I have a short list of services that really work - and the Center for Creative Play is at the top of that list.
—Regina, 2 children
As the mother of a 3 year old and a 1 year old who utilize the Center on an almost weekly basis, I can tell you firsthand what an enriching and educational addition the CFCP has been to the community and city of Pittsburgh.
For young families such as ours, places like the CFCP are popular attractions to keeping us here in the city. From speaking with the many other parents that jam pack the Center, I know I'm not alone.
—Tricia
As a new Pittsburgh resident and mother of a toddler, I was thrilled to discover the Center for Creative Play. For mothers and caregivers throughout the city, The Center for Creative Play is a safe, clean, dependable, and convenient place to bring children for creative and entertaining play. This is especially important during bad weather, and Pittsburgh has had some of the worst on record this past year. The center offers numerous programs, including their popular weekend concert series and babysitting on Saturday evenings, and I've rarely been there when it wasn't teeming with children and their caregivers.
—Tonia
If you haven't been there - please visit - one look around should tell you what we, the members of the Center, already know. The Center for Creative Play is a one-of-a-kind, uniquely special (place) that deserves great recognition and support. Can you think of even one other facility that has a wheel-chair accessible tree-house, a quiet sensory room, a vibrant arts and crafts room, a kitchen, all CPR certified employees? . . . the list goes on.
—Shira
As a parent of a five year-old boy who has autism, we rely on the Center to provide a safe and well-thought out place to play especially as cold
weather approaches. Their fees make it possible for parents who may not have a lot of money to have services for their children. We are also very excited about the sensory integration camp this fall.
Our son has a variety of sensory needs that disrupt his ability to function normally. At this camp, he'll get "treatment" in a way that is highly enjoyable for him, and we as a family will get training on how we can do some of the activities in our home.
We are fortunate indeed to live in a city that has a center such as this one that addresses our son's needs and allows us flexibility.
—Laurel
The Center for Creative Play provides an environment where my children can not only learn and play but can interface with children who have disabilities, are of other races, religions, creeds in a manner that makes it "normal" and thus makes these children who are different from my child "normal". This fosters acceptance now and in the future. Additionally, the center environment EXPECTS parents to play actively with their children, this supports the parent-child interaction necessary for building a foundation of safety, love, and care. Children who play with their parents are likely to be less apt to involve themselves later in life in activities of crime, etc… because this early dialogue of play teaches them that their parents are there - ALWAYS.
—Angela
The Center for Creative Play can be summed up in one word... WOW! My children "swam" on a beach, fantasized in a wheelchair-accessible treehouse, cooked play pizza for my wife and I, and even put gas in "his" Little Tikes "rental car"! My kids crawled, walked, and ran from doing mini-laundry, to an incredible high-tech sensory and projection room to painting and to a fun grocery store and pretend doctor's office. My niece of 6 years old calls it the "greatest place" she has ever been. My 2 year asks daily, "Go to the 'good place' dada, want to go, please?" The Center is nothing short of a childhood dream come true. Great for parents too.
—Bart, father of two boys, 2 ½ years old and 11 months
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