Shop for Great items With Our Logo and Help Troubled Kids
Click here to buy fabulous items like T-shirts, hats, wallets, iPhone and iPad covers, tote bags and baby clothes - just to name a few of the dozens of things that are available through Caf� Press.
They all feature Create Now's colorful logo. Stock up for birthday and holiday gifts today. All the money raised helps vulnerable kids. Thank you for your support!
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Create Now needs your help 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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Thanks to the
Department of Cultural Affairs
We would like to once again show our deep appreciation to the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs for their support of our programs in Council District 7 this year, such as "Metamorphosis," the mural at Phoenix House, and Introduction to Art and also a Theatre workshop at LA Family Housing. It's because of the DCA that we are once again able to reach the neediest children and youth in Los Angeles. |
| 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 sixteen years, we've reached over 28,000 of these vulnerable kids through our unique arts mentoring and cultural programs and services. |
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Hip-Hop Jam Not Bang Festival
 Thanks to the Westside Children's Center through the Department of Children and Family Services, Create Now put on a "Hip-Hop Jam Not Bang Festival." This event was held on June 24 at "Your Neighborhood Studio" in Culver City.
The foster kids in attendance each received specially designed VIP badges that were stamped as they rotated in groups so they could experience the different activities that were provided by world-renown hip-hop group Culture Shock. They learned how to Breakdance, MC and Spin (records). Graffiti artist Cre8 taught them how to draw and color graff-style letters. The youth also got to make unique hand-painted vinyl rec ords.
Jolie Laurent (Director Of Operations and DCFS Program Administration at Westside Children's Center) said, "It was so amazing. We need more events like these where children and families can come together and learn. It was truly great being a part of something so positive."
One 16 year-old foster youth, Ricardo remarked, "It was new to me. And for minors like me that are in placement, we're able to go here."
Samantha, age 15, said, "As I got more comfortable, I got less shy and had a great time. Thank you so much."
 | | Camille Brown, Ruby Medina & Jolie Laurent with Scratch DJ Academy |
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The Lydia Tree
 Thanks to a generous grant from the Employees Community Fund Of Boeing California, Create Now has brought our Create A Mural Now workshop to Lydia House (part of the Long Beach Rescue Mission), which is a shelter that provides 45 beds for at-risk women and children who face abuse, addiction or financial problems.
Our mentor, June Kaewsith, shares her experience. "In an effort to build trust, I started with an activity called 'The African Tree of Knowledge' to get people to think about the things that ground them (roots), hold them up (trunk), lessons they have learned (branches), and knowledge to pass on (leaves).
 At first, I only started with three participants. Despite the shelter thriving with tenants, I had a feeling they still did not trust my intentions. By the end of the two-hour session, we had at least 16 people from all over the building contributing to the tree, which we have named 'The Lydia Tree.' Someone even taped a plastic bag with water to make sure it receives nourishment."
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Meet Our Alumnus Tasha Caulfield
 Between the ages of 13-16, Tasha kept running away from home and ending up in detention camps, until she took our TV Writing Workshop. As a result of Create Now mentors and resources, she graduated from USC Film School and completed her first year of law school at the University of Illinois in Chicago.
Tasha is now back in L.A., and traveling around the country performing standup comedy while writing film reviews for a Chicago newspaper. She said, "I consider every success I've had since I was introduced to your program a direct consequence of all the wonderful things Create Now has offered me. Thanks from the bottom of my heart." Check out Tasha's website: www.tashacaulfield.com.
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30, 000 At-Risk Youth Served in 16 Years!
Create Now is proud that we have provided our arts mentoring programs to more than 30,000 of the most troubled youth in Southern California during the last 16 years. Thank you for your continued support!
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