Blue Cross Blue Shield gives playground to YDI

Youth Development Inc., commonly known as YDI, has been awarded an Imagination Playground in a Cart, an innovative playground equipment system, thanks to a grant provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico.

Unstructured, child-directed play has been proven to help kids develop physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually, yet today’s kids have less time and fewer opportunities to play than any previous generation.

“The Imagination Playground is not just a great way to engage our children,” said Debra Baca, YDI vice president of early childhood education. “It shows that Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico is really invested in the overall health of families in our communities that we serve.”

YDI’s Early Childhood Education division is much more than just Head Start — the division offers a variety of ways to serve children and their families, from the Pregnant Mothers program, to home visitation, to parent resources. In addition, Head Start cooks served more than 300,000 healthy meals to children last school year. “Play is an important part of childhood,” said Dr. Eugene Sun, vice president and chief medical officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield. “Active play on a daily basis helps children develop physically, mentally, and emotionally. Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico and our dedicated staff are proud to contribute this playground to help children in our community develop active minds and bodies.”

This is the ninth Imagination Playground that Blue Cross Blue Shield has donated since 2013. Through these partnerships, more kids have the play-filled childhood they deserve.