Create Now - Transforming LIves Through Arts Mentoring
May 2011
Milestones
About Create Now
Neglected Kids Dance Pain Away
Kidz Kreationz
Transformers Talent Show a Huge Success!

Balloons25,000 Youth Reached in 15 Years!


Create Now is proud that  we have provided our arts programs to over 25,000 of the most vulnerable kids in our community. Thank you for your support!
Create Now is a 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, are left homeless, runaways, teen parents, victims of domestic violence, children of prisoners, substance abusers, gang members or incarcerated. In the past fourteen years, we've reached over 25,000 of these vulnerable kids through our unique arts mentoring and cultural programs and services.
 

Neglected Kids Dance Away Pain 

Create Now arranged for speech therapist Christina Miriam's House Dance 1Cannon to teach her "Movement" Dance Workshop at Miriam's House, a home in Mar Vista for mothers recovering from substance abuse and a refuge for their children to escape chaos and instability. Her workshop, a combination of yoga, dance, capoeira and karate was a huge success, in spite of the challenges.

"They were hungry for attention," Christina said. "They would run to the couch and put pillows over their heads, refusing to talk or even acknowledge me. Through movement, I felt their energy rise and children reclaim their innocence, rather than attaching to the part of them who was victimized.

Ka'aloha, age 6, Miriam's House Dance 2said "I like the dance and yoga. I like all of it and love it." Madison, age 7, chimed in, "I like the dancing and the music."

"My daughter Shelby loves the dancing. She loves to show the moves to her relatives and friends," said her mother Bridget.

 

Read Christina's Story

Kidz Kreationz 

Children color

Homeless children at L.A. Family Housing decorated a colorful banner designed by artist mentor David Aswad to promote "The Transformers," who are making this a better world through their creative expression.

The Transformers Talent Show a Huge Success! 

 

Transformers Talent Show 1

Our "Transformers Talent Show" held on Friday, April 15th at L.A. Family Housing, a shelter in North Hollywood, was a huge hit! Kids from our Singing Workshop with Shalayna Janelle, Comedy Workshop with Daniel Rothenberg, and Hip Hop Dance Workshop with Mandi Mettler performed their hearts out as part of our Show Off performing arts program. 

 

They were so excited that HM British Consul-General Dame Barbara Hay was in the audience, along with special guests of the U.S. State Department through the International Visitors Council: musicians from Egypt and Morocco.  

 

Transformers Talent Show 2Everyone was very inspired by these talented kids, especially their parents. They proudly shouted, "That's my baby!," beautiful words that will stay in the memories of these youth, along with this unforgettable experience. Our volunteer Samantha Sayon observed, "The kids were so excited and proud of themselves, it gave them confidence that they can do anything."