Home >> Events >> Newsletter Archive >> December 2006 >> Radio Interview

Radio Interview – Meet Mentee José Ramirez and His Mentor, Diane Namm

Rolanda Watts, Jill Gurr, Diane Namm, José Ramirez

Click Here to Listen to the Broadcast - Real Player

The Rolanda Watts Show airs daily throughout the country via Greenstone Radio, the network founded by Jane Fonda, Gloria Steinem, and Rosie O'Donnell.

A veteran of Los Angeles radio, New York City television and the syndicated entertainment show “Inside Edition,” Watts was motivated by her mentor as a youth. She decided to do a show on mentoring in Los Angeles. The producer of this popular new program is Glenda Shaw, a Create Now! mentor who joined us seven years ago when she worked with a group of teenage boys incarcerated at Camp Gonzalez. Glenda invited Create Now! founder Jill Gurr to speak on the subject, along with one of our students, José Ramirez, and his mentor Diane Namm.

Diane Namm joined Create Now! earlier this year when she taught her “Scenes From the Heart” Writing Workshop at Camp David Gonzalez during their school English class. Formerly an Executive Editor at Simon & Schuster's Little Simon and NhiBooks, Diane is founder, playwright and director of West of Broadway Theater Company, in addition to writing for film and books for children and teens.

José was one of the participants in Diane’s workshop. He had a profound experience. José told his story about how he tragically lost his mother in a fire when he was 10 years-old. He had nightmares every night since then. He didn't care about life, and José got into trouble with the law several times.

Create Now! collaborated with the Promenade Playhouse to bring some of their actors, along with our spokesperson Debra Wilson, to Camp Gonzalez to act out the boys’ scenes. When José saw his story reenacted, the effect was cathartic. He cried openly and didn’t have any more nightmares after that experience.

Diane and Create Now! have continued to support José. He 's off probation and has received his green card, allowing him to find work. We’ve referred him to Hollywood CPR , where if he’s accepted into their program, he’ll get training in film and TV production and have job opportunities in the future. José is currently looking for a job, so that he can take some college classes. We also introduced him to Manny Jimenez of Suspect Entertainment, to help him pursue an acting career. Just being on this radio show was an educational opportunity for him. Listen to the interview and let us know what you think?

Special thanks to VideoBookmark.com for their great donation of video streaming this broadcast.

Do you want to support changing the lives of youth like José? Click below and donate today to Create Now!