CHRISTUS Kids Clinic - Coushatta opens adaptive playground with Ace Hardware Helping Hands support

CHRISTUS Health has received a generous $22,741 grant from the Ace Hardware Helping Hands program, funding the installation of a new outdoor adaptive playground at CHRISTUS Kids Clinic – Coushatta.

Designed to serve children of all abilities, the playground features adaptive swings and slides, sensory-friendly musical elements and equipment that promotes mobility, balance and coordination, creating an inclusive space where therapy and play come together.

“We’re deeply grateful to Ace Hardware Helping Hands for their incredible generosity,” said Amy Heron, executive director of philanthropy at CHRISTUS Foundation Shreveport-Bossier. “This gift greatly enhances our ability to provide children with access to outdoor play while they receive physical, occupational and speech therapy at our clinic.”

CHRISTUS Kids Clinic – Coushatta offers specialized pediatric therapies for children from birth to age 21, helping them reach developmental milestones and build essential life skills through movement, communication, feeding and play.

The clinic supports children with developmental challenges or medical conditions such as cerebral palsy, prematurity, muscular disorders, autism, language delays, Down syndrome and hearing impairments, providing high-quality care tailored to each child’s specific needs.

“This adaptive playground is something truly special for our patients, their families and our Associates,” said Lisa Hooper, outpatient clinical supervisor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System. “Each piece of equipment was thoughtfully designed to meet the unique needs of our children, ensuring every child we serve has access to play, the true work of childhood.”

Beyond the clinic walls, this space represents a meaningful investment in the community, fostering inclusion, joy and healing through play.

CHRISTUS invites the community to support the next phase of this project by contributing to the purchase of a shade structure for the new playground. This will create a safer, more comfortable space for children and families to enjoy year-round. To donate, visit christus.io/SPBCMN.