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IN THE NEWS: CNN AT PHOENIX HOUSE

By Jennifer Provencher

When I found out that CNN's “Anderson Cooper 360°” was going to film a segment with Create Now!, I thought it would be fun to tag along!

I arrived at Phoenix House, a drug and alcohol treatment facility for kids that Create Now! has partnered with on many programs, not knowing what to expect.  I was immediately taken aback by the kids that gladly greeted us.  I mistook one of them for a staff member, but later found out that he was only 15-years old.  He had gotten hooked on crystal meth at the age of 10.  Now, he was one of the most mature and well-spoken 15-year olds that I have ever met.  And he was not alone - all of the kids were amazing - mature beyond their years, full of dreams of joining the Navy or becoming an artist.

The segment showcased our “Sound Off!” music program.  KL (Michael Monroe), who is the mentee of our Founder Jill Gurr and also Chairperson Mark Schulman and is now a mentor himself, and Jamall Harris put on a hip-hop performance and then let the kids Freestyle Rap and partake in a dance competition.  The energy in the room was contagious.  Soon enough everyone, including the staff, were dancing, singing and laughing.

When it was over, the kids hung around to talk to us - especially to Founder and Executive Director Jill Gurr who had introduced herself earlier in the night and spoke about how Create Now! helps kids once they get out of rehab.  There was a line to get more information!  I saw first-hand how Create Now! provides young people with the hope that they can get a second chance to lead a productive life.  To get a taste of what I experienced, please check out our segment on CNN's “Anerson Cooper 360°."

Create Now!’s Sound Off! program is continuing to impact the youth at Phoenix House. They wrote to us several weeks later with these comments:

“I had fun and realize I could have fun being clean.” – Denio “It made me feel good and it opened my eyes on the things I could do in life.” – Homero “It made me feel really happy because that day I felt like leaving Phoenix House and the program cheered me up. So I want to thank you a lot.” - Octavio

One of the youth, Josue, who is being released back home later this month has already booked time at the Create Now! recording studio, where KL will teach him how to produce beats.  Josue said, "This is exactly what I need - positive stuff to help me stay clean when I get out."

Create Now! has given the youth at Phoenix House tickets to the Hollywood Bowl, Disney Concert Hall and the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre this summer, to expose them to other types of music and cultural events.  We will continue to support them with additional opportunities.

We’re also featuring the Create Now! theme song in the Kidz Kreationz section of our newsletter.  This song was written by KL, Jamall and other graduates of our music program who are now part of the Create Now! All-Stars.

Since CNN broadcast our segment on June 15th, Create Now! has been contacted by many individuals and youth organizations from as far away as Mexico and Bosnia and Herzegovna, asking us to set up Create Now! centers in their countries.  Our ultimate goal is to expand globally, and with your support, we can impact the world!