Graphic & Web Design Helps Substance Abusers

Create Now is proud to collaborate once again with our partner Phoenix House. This residential facility in Lake View Terrace is a substance abuse rehab center for around 80 teenagers.

Thanks to AmeriCorps, we are working with Emily Schuck, a full-time Americorps VISTA member, to implement three Graphic and Web Design Workshops at Phoenix House to reach 40 youth. She enlisted the support of volunteer Danny Caudillo, a professional graphic designer. He said, “I’ve always wanted to give back. I’m self-taught and I’ve always thought that if I had a mentor or somebody to train me, I probably would have been able to learn a lot faster.”

Over 12 weeks, the kids are learning the basic concepts of graphic design and how to create artwork, photo retouching, logos and branding, building websites and much more. In addition, Nancy Staack will soon teach “Job Readiness” skills, such as resume writing and interview techniques. Emily is also coordinating a fashion show for our students to demonstrate proper (and improper) business attire with help from Phoenix House staff.

After each workshop is completed, Emily is helping the students to find job and internship opportunities. Through our program, the kids learn to channel their creativity into skills that can be marketed to prospective employers.

“The idea is to integrate the arts with the recovery process,” said Emily. “We teach them to use their creativity as a therapeutic outlet that can lead to jobs and careers.”

The program takes place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 pm with more practice time on Fridays. Elizabeth Stanley-Salazar, Program Director at Phoenix House said, “It’s a part of therapy that our clients talk about going to. They’re excited and they light up. They want to be a part of it.”

Danny said, “The goal is for them to take what they’re learning here and be better out of it. Also, whatever their problems are as to why they’re in here, they can better themselves through the artistic abilities that they already have or have gained through these courses so they can take them, go on in life and know that they can create something amazing that has come from themselves. They don’t have to go somewhere else to find those pleasures. They will know that they are good enough within themselves.”

"I learned a lot. It helps me be a better person, so I know how to act in the future." - Elleri, age 16

"It could benefit my future. I could use the skills I get later on in life." - Arturo, age 18

"It's a good opportunity." Rodrick, age 16