Create Now - Transforming LIves Through Arts Mentoring
June 2011
Milestones
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About Create Now
Arts xChange
Mentoring With Music

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 needs your support. Every penny counts so please click here to donate online, or send your contribution to: 1611 S. Hope Street, Suite # E, Los Angeles, CA  90015.
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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.
 

Exciting New Program - Arts xChange

USA for AfricaWe are thrilled that USA for Africa has given Create Now another grant, this time to initiate a pilot program called Arts xChange. Our unique project will bring together rival Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda with rival gang members in Los Angeles through technology and a special curriculum that we're developing with the Western Justice Center Foundation.

16 youth from each country will work in teams to discuss issues of poverty, violence, conflict and acceptance. At the same time, we will give them art supplies to create drawings, paintings, sculptures and videos. Create Now will sponsor two arts competitions in Rwanda and L.A. with prizes for all and trophies for winners. Stay tuned to learn more!

Mentoring With Music

For the past two months, Jerrence Owens has been mentoring nine foster boys, ages 11-15, at Hathaway-Sycamores Child & Family Services in Altadena. Jerrence teaches a weekly music workshop that enables these abused, neglected, abandoned and orphaned boys to write and perform original music, which builds their literacy skills and confidence.

Jerrence Owens"At the start of the program, most of the youth used inappropriate language and behaviors, and they didn't work well with their peers," said Jerrence.

"By using writing, instrumental sounds and technology, now these youth are open with their thoughts and feelings, express themselves using positive words and also give positive feedback to one another."

"We get to sing and make our own songs," said Dante, age 13. Ivan, age 14 remarked "I like making beats and listening to them." Christian, age 12, said, "I wrote two songs."

The boys will get to perform at an upcoming Talent Show at their facility, in front of their staff, families and friends, and will go on an Artistic Journey with Jerrence this Saturday to the Ford Amphitheatre for a hip-hop show. 

Hathaway-Sycamores staff Anthony Michael said, "This program has assisted the youth in self-esteem, self-expression and the challenges of feeling connected with the outside world."

Activities Director Jane Whitmore remarked, "The boys are learning that they are part of a team and that they each have something unique to contribute to the group."

Water Buffalo Club LogoSpecial thanks to the Water Buffalo Club, which has just given Create Now a generous donation to buy equipment to be used in all of our programs, including keyboards for the foster boys at Hathaway-Sycamores. We greatly appreciate their support!

Read Jerrence's Story