Los Angeles is considered the “Homeless Capital of America,” with 13,000 homeless children attending LAUSD schools. There are many more kids not attending school; those who have fallen through the cracks in the system. Studies have found that homelessness lowers academic performance, increases the chance of repeating a grade, and reduces high school completion rates. Homelessness also puts children at greater risk of serious physical health problems.

Homeless Kids Show Off

Create Now has partnered with L.A. Family Housing (LAFH) in North Hollywood for a number of years to provide our arts workshops to the 120 children at their shelter. As part of our Show Off performing arts program, we currently have a Singing Workshop, a Comedy Workshop and a Hip-Hop Dance Workshop taking place there, which will culminate with a performance for the entire facility on April 15th called “The Transformers Talent Show,” when the kids will get to perform for the entire facility, plus our special guest, HM British Consul-General in Los Angeles, Dame Barbara Hay..

Singing Workshop

Our Singing Workshop is taught by mentor Shalayna Janelle, a talented young singer and actor. She meets with a group of dedicated girls each Saturday to practice the choruses of their favorite songs. This teaches the kids literacy skills as they memorize the lyrics, builds their confidence and self-esteem. Some of the children haven’t mixed with the other kids before, and our classes bring them together. They’re delighted that they can work together as a team.

Shalayna has also grown tremendously from this experience. She said, “I’ve never taught kids before. These past few weeks have been an experience for me, and also a journey! The students are now able to listen to and hear each other's singing so they know how to blend and stay on Key. I love how happy they get every time they see me walk in the building for class.”

Malayhia, age 10 said, “I’m learning to sing more better and I’m gonna perform in front of a lot of people. I like my friends here.”

Rebecca, age 9 remarked, “I have a nice teacher and I can’t wait till the performance comes.”

Shannyn, age 8 said, “My teacher is really clear about teaching and my friends are nice to me.”

Comedy Workshop

Everyone likes to laugh, and the homeless children at LAFH need laughter more than most of us. Many have been traumatized by poverty and homelessness during their young lives. They still live in a shaky world with an uncertain future. They are usually far behind their peers academically. So when Daniel Rothenberg offered to teach a comedy workshop he calls “Find Your Comedic Voice,” it quickly became a popular class.

Daniel is a professional standup comedian and a second year MSW student at Cal State Northridge. He said, “The kids not only get a chance to be creative, there’s a sense of safety and freedom to be themselves. This sense of safety has been shown to foster protective factors and increase resiliency, which can change the life course for at-risk youth. Oh, and it’s a lot of fun.”

He engaged around 15 children in improv theatre exercises, such as walking in funny ways, creating a “concert” of emotional sounds and giving them time to tell jokes. Children who were shy and withdrawn quickly came out of their shells. The kids were also able to let out a lot of pent-up energy when they had the freedom to be whomever they wanted.

Jose, age 7 said, “I like comedy class because you get to do like your emotions and silly stuff.”

Katherine, age 9, said, “I like when we do different things, different actions and emotions.”

Daniel, age 6, said “I like it cause it’s funny and you get to do funny tricks.”

Jeffrey, age 7, remarked, “You get to tell jokes and be funny.”

Denise, age 8, said, “We get to do silly things.”

Hip-Hop Dance Workshop

Mandi Mettler has wanted to volunteer through Create Now for a year, but she has such a busy schedule as a dancer with the L.A. Clippers that she hasn’t had the time. We’re lucky that she does now. Mandi just started a Hip-Hop Dance Workshop at LAFH, so the kids can perform at “The Transformers Talent Show.”

The shrieks of delight and grins on the kids’ faces when they started their first class was priceless. Mandi took them through a series of cool moves, using easy-to-understand concepts to help them learn the routine. “Point your hand like this as you turn, like you’re picking out your clothes” and “Pretend that you’re pushing yourself off a wall.”

After just one class, the kids learned two dances. The best part was seeing how the mothers bonded with their children through the experience. They proudly darted around taking photos and videos as the kids learned the routines. They also taped Mandi dancing on her own so the youngsters could practice during the week.

Mandi said, “I am so honored and blessed to be able to work with these kids. I know what it's like to have obstacles, and the only way I got through them was through dance and people believing in me. I believe in these kids. Their strength, hope and will to overcome is what makes them so amazing and is what will push them to do great things for themselves and others.”

Christian Burell, a Program Coordinator at LAFH, said, “I have never seen some of these children act the way they do when they’re in these programs. Several children have come to these classes very shy, timid, scared to be themselves. Now they’re so energetic, happy and peaceful. Their transition from the first day to this day is just incredible! The children will never forget these experiences.”

Create Now will be organizing an art workshop so that all the kids can create banners and pictures to decorate LAFH for “The Transformers Talent Show.” The kids are learning how to transform themselves and their world through creative expression. Be sure to check out our April newsletter to see how this magnificent change has developed.

Special thanks to the LA County Arts Commission for their generous support.