A Louisville mother saw a need for more inclusive activities for her children, so she created an organization aimed at building villages through family engagement and children's programming. Play Cousins Collective was created by Kristen Williams as a way of adopting extended family to share knowledge and resources. The goal is to enhance their roles as parents as well as the lives of their children.Williams leads an interactive session inside the Americana Community Center, just one of many places that Play Cousins Collective operates."When we come in, we provide books that feature characters of color, we bring dolls that look like the children that we serve, coloring books and we really just show up and fill them with affirmations and the idea that they can be anything that they want to be—that they're not limited," Williams said.Finding the best in a child unlocks a world of possibilities and potential. The goal is to show them the world through one of many programs the group offers to educate children."We have lesson plans that are incredibly diverse, and I think that one of the lessons we are trying to share with children and families is that the world is a diverse place and that culture and heritage should be celebrated," Williams said. "(We teach) that differences should be celebrated and that they shouldn't be used to tear us apart."Williams started this idea a little more than three years ago as a way for parents to help one another—but also as a way to provide trauma-informed care for those feeling a lack of hope."The challenges that they are feeling or the labels that have been placed on them, we try not to label families and we try not to tell people that, 'This is the way it has to be done,'" Williams said. "We try to say, 'This is what's working for us, and we'd love to share that with you.'"That sense of community has grown into a village of extended cousins who have been asked to provide children's programming by organizations like the Louisville Urban League and Metro United Way—a resource that's so important for those navigating parenthood."I think at the end of the day, I feel thankful that I am able to show up in spaces that somebody would care to hear what I say," Williams said.Williams' and her play cousins' efforts involve play dates, parent cafes and mental health circles to encourage other parents to join the family. All this is done to encourage children to dream bigger than what they currently see."How would I talk to this child if they were the president one day, because in some communities, children are being spoken to in that powerful way," Williams said. "But if we keep treating our kids like they are the subservient class, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy."They say it takes a village to raise a child. Play Cousins Collective wants to ensure our children have all the love, support and encouragement they need to succeed in the future. The Play Cousins Collective operates purely off of community support.To donate to the organization, visit PlayCousinsCollective.com.