About Create Now
Create Now serves vulnerable kids ages 2-25 who have been abused, neglected, abandoned, orphaned, are left homeless, runaways, teen parents, substance abusers, victims of domestic violence, children of prisoners, gang members or incarcerated. The youth we serve come from poverty-stricken families with histories of violence, substance abuse, or neglect. These "forgotten children" are tucked away in group homes, shelters, detention facilities, special centers and schools throughout the Southern California region, under the radar of the general public.
We've developed an extensive database of over 1,200 youth facilities throughout Southern California that enables us to match volunteers with high-risk or at-risk kids in their own neighborhood, based on the youths' ages, genders, challenges and other preferences. We train our mentors, help them to customize their curriculum and give materials for their workshops.
Through our five program areas; music, art, writing, performing arts and cultural excursions, high-risk and at-risk youth learn to express themselves in a positive manner versus the destructive ways that they have in the past. Creative expression has been proven to be very therapeutic, especially for traumatized children. Create Now programs develop youths' talent and abilities. They build teamwork, self-esteem and confidence.
Each year, we also bring thousands of these kids to free concerts, plays and other cultural events at premiere venues throughout the region. These field trips not only educate youth while exposing them to new types of music, theater and art, but also bring them relief and joy.
In addition, Create Now arranges General Mentoring, like one-on-one "Special Friend" relationships, and teaching life skills to small groups of youth.
We send out regular notices about jobs, internships, scholarships, free books, computers and other materials to the partners in our extensive network. Create Now is a conduit for individuals and businesses in the community to give back to thousands of the neediest youth in the region.