Newsletters

October 2026

October 2026 Newsletter

City of Rochester, KABOOM, Healthi Kids, and partners bring play to the 19th Ward

Volunteers building a playground at West High Field

Volunteers rolled up their sleeves to build a new playground at West High Field, marking another exciting step toward greater playspace equity across Rochester. Through a multi-year partnership, Healthi Kids, the City of Rochester, and KABOOM! are working with communities to create inclusive playspaces shaped by the children and families who use them. This build was also supported by Davenport-Hatch Foundation, ESL Federal Credit Union, Kindling Impact Foundation, M&T Bank, Wegmans, and the William & Sheila Konar Foundation.

The inclusive playground includes moving platforms, a communication board, large chimes, and other innovative features. It officially opens on October 24.

Read the press release and check out photos from the day.

Families connect through play in Greece

About 15 families joined Healthi Kids and the Greece Department of Parks and Recreation for an Infant-Toddler Play Day last month. Through hands-on activities and time spent playing together, caregivers learned how simple, responsive interactions can strengthen relationships and nurture young children’s mental health.

Read the full story.

Healthi Kids helps Rochester Fringe Fest become more playful

Group of volunteers posing at the Fringe Festival sign.

Healthi Kids marked its first year at the Rochester Fringe Festival by filling the Spiegelgarden with games, movement, creativity, and fun for National Day of Play. Families enjoyed a playful day together while celebrating every child’s right to the time and space to play.

Flip through our photo album to relive the fun.

Partner Spotlight: Pivital Public Health Partnership

Pivital Public Health Partnership brings together seven county public health departments to improve health outcomes and advance health equity in rural communities across the Finger Lakes. Its work includes strengthening maternal and child health, early childhood services, access to care, food security, and other factors that help children and families thrive.

“Pivital Public Health Partnership understands that improving children’s health requires listening to families and addressing the barriers they experience. Its new childhood lead testing initiative in Yates and Seneca counties is a strong example of using community voices and cross-sector partnerships to create practical solutions that give every child the opportunity for a healthy start.” -Dina Faticone, Chief Program Officer and Operating Officer

Through a new 18-month initiative supported by a $100,000 NY State investment, Pivital will work with county health departments, health care providers, the Women, Infants and Children program, and Early Intervention services to increase childhood lead testing in Yates and Seneca counties. The project will engage parents and caregivers to better understand barriers to testing and develop outreach strategies shaped by the needs of rural families.