Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil, the award-winning, international circus that fuses music, dance, theatre and incredible acrobatic feats into an astounding show, each year generously donates thousands of tickets to Create Now! so that we can fulfill our mission of bringing the healing power of the arts to the most troubled children in our community. Most of the youth that Create Now! serves are emotionally-disturbed and have serious behavioral problems because of the abuse and neglect that they've had to endure. Experience performances by Cirque du Soleil deeply impacts our youth.

In 2007, Cirque du Soleil donated to Create Now! tickets to their show "Corteo".

Youth from the following facilities attended the performance.

In 2006, Cirque du Soleil donated Create Now! 600 tickets to their show "Delirium" at the STAPLES Center.

Here's what some of the youth had to say about the event:

"It was the best experience of my life." - Edith

"It made me think a lot about life." - Stephanie

"I loved the show. It was so interesting and it made me appreciate art more." - Vanessa

The staff that accompanied the kids to "Delirium" also had some comments:

"It gave our residents an experience they would never have had otherwise and opened their eyes to new opportunities." - Kirsten Anderson, Aviva Center

"All of them loved the show. They were in awe of everything that was happening on stage. The girls had a blast, as well as staff." - Aimee Santana, Eagle Rock Group Home

"After seeing Cirque du Soleil perform, the boys have a more positive attitude towards music. Before, they were negative to experience any new activity. Now our boys have learned to be more open-minded and appreciative. They're able to tolerate long periods at a time in one place. Patience is what they have learned. Thank you for making it possible for each minor to experience the opportunity to be part of such an expensive activity. Without donations such as yours, it wouldn't be possible for the boys to attend events as these." - Maria Rivera, Unit Team Leader, Trinity Children's Services

Youth from the following facilities attended "Delirium":

Cirque du Soleil also donated 330 tickets for their show "Quidam" in Long Beach. 

Children and youth from the following facilities attended "Quidam":

1736 Family Crisis Shelter Affirmative Action Group Home Aspira Foster Services Atlantic Recovery Services Bienvenidos Foster Agency Casa Youth Shelter Dream Home Care Group Homes Girls and Boys Town Guadalupe Homes Harborview Group Home Homes of Hope Interval House Crisis Shelter Long Beach Youth Home New Hope TLC Olive Crest Homes & Services Rainbow Services Rosemary's Children's Services Stand Up For Kids Su Casa Family Crisis Tarzana Treatment Centers Women Shelter Long Beach

In 2003 and 2004, Cirque du Soleil donated to Create Now! more than 1,700 tickets to "Varekai," which was performed by STAPLES Center in downtown Los Angeles, at the Pomona Fairplex and the Orange County Fair.

Here's what some of the kids had to say about "Varekai":

"Thank you so much for giving me a once in a lifetime opportunity to go see the Cirque du Soleil show. I thought that it was eye-popping and amazing." - Sherilee

"It was an experience I will never forget"- Ruth

"It was an amazing experience that made my jaw drop. Cirque du Soleil is something everyone should see once in their lives, at least. Thanks again." - Kelly

Candice and Cheyenne Reece
from Patterns at "Varekai"

"Six months after seeing the show and the kids and staff here can't stop talking about the performance. Our youngest children (ages 4-7) even got to go. We thought the show might be a bit too much for them but they loved it and stayed the whole time. That doesn't happen very often." - Jen Fernholz, Staff Member, Olive Crest Homes

Youth from the following facilities attended "Varekai":

Aviva Center Booth Memorial Children's Institute Covenant House Crittenton Services Dangerfield Group Home Dubnoff Center Eagle Rock Group Home Erikson Center Florence-Crittenden Gardner House Girls & Boys Town Hathaway Children's Services Hillsides Kenniston House Maryvale Olive Crest Orange County Youth Center Patterns Shelter Penny Lane Price Family Campus Reach Out West End Rosemary Children's Center Southern California Indian Center The Sycamores Vista Del Mar Women's Care Cottage

Create Now! is honored to distribute these tickets to some of the facilities that we serve, so that the most troubled children in Southern California can enjoy the amazing performances of Cirque du Soleil. For additional information, visit their website at: www.cirquedusoleil.com.