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Greetings!
As you can see, Create Now has a new look! To celebrate our tremendous growth, we decided it was time for a face lift. Keep posted for new additions to our site as we include fabulous stories of success and creative expressions of our youth creating now!
In 2008, Create Now reached more youth than ever before... a total of 5,623. This is an increase of 1,640 more kids from 2007. We accomplished it through the help of 44 mentors who contributed a total of 1,325 hours, plus dozens of other volunteers that assisted us in fulfilling our mission of transforming the lives of high-risk and at-risk youth in Southern California through the arts. None of this would have been possible without you our supporters and we are grateful.
To kick off 2009, this issue focuses on our most popular program -- Artistic Journeys. Each year Create Now brings thousands of kids to free concerts, plays and other cultural events at popular venues throughout the region.
Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Jill Gurr
Founder and Executive Director |
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Create Now Featured in the 
In 2008, the Los Angeles Times Family Fund gave a generous grant to Create Now for our Take Heart visual arts program, as part of their Holiday Campaign. On December 30, 2008, they featured us in the California section. |
Artistic Journeys
Each year, Create Now organizes thousands of opportunities for high-risk and at-risk youth in Southern California to attend cultural outings through our Artistic Journeys program. The events take many forms: concerts, plays, popular TV show tapings, circuses, museum visits and more. These cultural excursions motivate the youth to overcome their challenges and introduce them to the world of the arts. For most, it's their first time experiencing a live performance or event of any kind.  In a 2002 study by researcher Terry Cheney that focused on the effects of exposing certain cultural experiences to children, it was found that cultural events help youth to develop communication skills, physical dexterity, mental concentration, discipline, creativity and imagination. Other research proves that exposure to the arts greatly enhances mathematical and literacy skills in youth. |
Kidz Kreationz
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 Featured Sponsor - Good News for Kids Foundation
Create Now was honored to be one of four children's charities to receive the proceeds from the Good News for Kids Gala, held on November 19th at The Grove Theater in Anaheim. Good News for Kids was established in 2006 to not only do good for children and families in need, but to raise awareness about those in need and the heroes who are making a difference in the lives of children and families in our communities. Our former Chairperson Mark Schulman was the keynote speaker and musician, along with Vivian Campbell of "Def Leppard." The evening was a phenomenal event. The proceeds that were donated to Create Now will enable us to provide our services to thousands of more high-risk and at-risk youth in the region.
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And Now, a Word About Our Sponsors!
Create Now couldn't begin to reach the thousands of children we serve each year if it weren't for the generous, ongoing support of our sponsors. Visit our sponsors' pages at the Create Now web site to learn more about our gracious supporters.
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Create Now is an independent, 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1996. Our mission is to transform the lives of high-risk and at-risk youth through creative arts mentoring, education, resources and opportunities. The organization serves kids who have been abused, neglected, abandoned and orphaned (foster youth), are left homeless, runaways, teen parents, victims of domestic violence, children of prisoners, substance abusers, gang members or incarcerated. For the past thirteen years, we've reached over 18,000 of these troubled kids through our unique arts mentoring and cultural programs.
Phone: (213) 484-8500
Email: info@createnow.org
Website: www.createnow.org
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