How to Volunteer with Create Now! and Help Our Kids Personally
We help kids in trouble turn their lives around
Create Now! changes the lives of high-risk and at-risk youth through creative arts mentoring, resources and opportunities.
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Volunteer with Create Now!
Volunteering can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It's a creative force that builds healthy, sustainable communities, thereby empowering individuals within our society.
There are three main volunteer programs with Create Now!:
1. As a mentor teaching a group
2. One-on-one mentoring
3. To support the development of the organization.
Mentoring for a Group
Many of our volunteers have expressed that mentoring has been the most rewarding experience of their lives. It's very powerful and uplifting when you realize that you've impacted someone's life, especially the troubled children that Create Now! serves. These young people represent our future. They need our support in order to change their lives.
By donating just an hour of your time, you can make a difference in our world. When you affect one child, you automatically connect with their family, friends, neighbors and associates. 
The ripple effect can be far-reaching. Not only will you touch the young people and their loved ones, but you'll be influenced, too. You'll be exposed to different cultures, languages and beliefs that will deeply move you and change your life.
"This feels like the most important thing I have done in my 36 years of living… the simple fact that I show up every week when I say I will and treat them with respect is making more of an impact than the actual writing we're doing. I am enjoying teaching my workshops so much that I am planning on getting certified to teach at accredited high schools in California."
- Holly Richmond, West Coast Editor, "Seventeen" and "Contract" magazines; Freelance journalist
One-on-One Mentoring
Create Now! arranges one-on-one mentoring for those who prefer a "Big Brother/Sister" or "Special Friend" type
of relationship. What often happens is that a mentor might start outteaching
a small workshop with several students, but he or she might bond with
one of the children.
We also have opportunities where we find a child who is looking for a mentor in a specific area. In these cases, we do our best to match up a mentor in that field with a youth who has specific interests.
Please contact us for information on how you can become a mentor.
Volunteering with Create Now! Office
Create Now! is almost entirely run by volunteers, including our administrative staff. We need assistance to maintain and expand our programs. There are opportunities to work on committees, assist programming and other administrative needs. If you would like to support the organization, we need help in the following areas:
• Board of Directors
• Committee Members
• Event Planning
• Fundraising
• Grant Writing
• Graphic Designers
• Promotion and Publicity
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a long-term commitment?
While many mentoring organizations require a one-year commitment, we've learned that even just one meeting between a mentor and a youth can have a positive effect. The child might be inspired to change their behavior or motivated to pursue a particular career. And since many of the troubled youth that we serve are often moved around or released back to the streets, we customize our programs so that they have the maximum effect in the shortest period of time. This also allows for some flexibility in our volunteers’ schedules.
How much time do you require to be a mentor for a group?
We ask our mentors to contribute an hour a week during a regularly scheduled time slot. Our programs are usually set for a fixed period of time (generally 6-8 weeks). That way, you can complete a short project and the youths have a sense of accomplishment. This also allows our mentors the flexibility to move on to a different project or to leave the program because of personal time constraints, without the children feeling abandoned. Of course, each program is tailored to the mentor’s and children's needs and some projects go on for longer periods of time. Also, if a workshop ends and our mentors want to continue volunteering at the same facility, there's usually a long list of youngsters who want to sign up for the next class.
What types of skills are you looking for mentors to have?
Writers, artists, photographers, musicians, dancers, filmmakers and other creative individuals volunteer as mentors. We can refer volunteers without an artistic skill to become a “Special Friend” or a tutor. Younger children enjoy storytelling, arts-and-crafts or to just play games.
How many children are there per class?
We try and limit the class to no more than 12, but on average it is 8-10 youth.
Do you need teaching credentials to be a mentor?
No. All you need is a talent and passion. Create Now! will help you to develop a curriculum and provide you with lesson plans, if needed.
Do you train your mentors?
Yes. We hold seminar training throughout the year for our mentors, which also includes an opportunity to network with other mentors, share ideas and learn about other programs with Create Now! All mentors also receive a comprehensive training manual. We also offer structured curriculum with detailed lesson plans in literacy and art. Many of the facilities that we serve offer their own orientations and training sessions, as well.
Do mentors get paid?
As Create Now! is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, every dollar we spend is crucial. We are hopeful that you will donate your time free of charge. Some of our programs do offer a small stipend to cover expenses.
There are many opportunities to support Create Now! so that we can continue to help the thousands of high-risk and at-risk children who need our assistance.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact Jill Gurr.