I was initially brought in by George V. because of a long personal relationship I have had with him spanning over 20 years. I am also a director of a foundation which provides learning and scholarship experiences in the manufacturing world so I am fully aware of the need to expose young adults to new worlds. The Backyard Experience provides an opportunity for kids to develop their inner creativity and to explore avenues they probably never new were in existence. BYE is a portal to world of arts, of exploration and of innovation as kids and young adults learn about the arts while having fun doing so. It is a privilege to be part of BYE and I hope I can help expand the world of the arts to all that are interested.
Ben and George have very rapidly elevated the awareness of The Backyard Experience and are the envy of all organizations witnessing their achievement. Their recent promotion of Star Wars Night at the Schaumburg Boomers Stadium was a great example of their effectiveness. It resulted in a packed stadium, great excitement for attendees and significant funds being raised for them and others, namely the Woodfield Area Children's Organization for which I am Board President. Thanks gentlemen and that includes Michael Larson, General Manager of the Schaumburg Boomers! The Backyard Experience assists kids and adults to explore the power and importance of their imagination and creativity through art and apply that to all in life that they will encounter. They do so most skillfully and effectively. When it comes to helping and uplifting kids we are kindred entities. Delighted to know them both, call them friends, and extol the virtues of their mission.
David A. Yurko
President of the Board
Woodfield Area Children's Organization, Inc.
www.waco4kids.org
The Backyard Experience is unique from other nonprofits. I've witnessed this group help instill confidence and creativity in children through the many amazing programs and events this organization participates in. From the Saturday Morning Cartoons, Boomers Baseball event, Visual Candy Night and other programs, The Backyard Experience is changing lives and bringing fun to both the young and old.
The Backyard Experience is amazing! They are so great at training kids (and even adults!) how to use their "creativity muscles" and provide access to unique, inspiring, and exciting creative opportunities; all while being wonderful people and community partners.
I had the great honor of volunteering for this organization's "Big Draw" event at the Schaumburg Boomers stadium in June 2018. The sheer energy and enthusiasm that everyone with the Backyard Experience brings to their mission is truly inspiring. The collaboration with the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity is a natural fit. They're going places, clearly, with their outreach initiatives. Seeing the kids' faces light up while working with them is all the incentive I need to volunteer for this organization again, and I can't wait to see how this movement multiplies in the years to come.
The Backyard Experience is a fantastic organization. They came out to our Camp we hold for burn survivors and did art projects with our campers. George and Ben, along with some amazing helpers, came to camp with balloons and squirt guns filled with different paint and let our campers create some beautiful pieces of art! While some campers were taking turns throwing paint, others were able to be creative and make acme rockets or they were learning how to draw like a pro! I just want to thank everyone at The Backyard Experience for making a memorable experience for our campers!
I am both a creative and passionate person with a focus on giving back both personally and professionally. It was an easy decision to align my services, time and resources to The Backyard Experience as I felt a calling to be a part of something great and something that aligned with my personal missions. Having had the opportunity to watch TBE grow from an idea on a napkin to what it is becoming today is still amazing to me as well as so exciting. I look forward to helping the mission continue to do great things and I am happy to be a part of it and all the people involved.
Fantastic group of people working the event with the Schaumburg Boomers on June 1st. Well organized and hard working volunteers made it possible for everyone to have a great time that night.
Our daughter took art lessons with Ben at the Backyard Experience. She loved the classes and learned so much. Ben is an amazing artisit and teacher. He is an excellent role model for youth. Ben interacts well with children and gets them excited about the world of art. Ben is so creative with the programs offered through Backyard Experience. He has involved the local mall, the local junior college, a local sports team, the Village, and the school district to get children involved in the Backyard Experience. This is an outstanding non profit with a fantastic team and mission!
George and Ben at The Backyard Experience have created the most fun and creative way to engage the community through art! I recently had the honor of co-hosting a series of traditional and digital art classes with them for a group of autistic children which was so fabulous, we're going to do it again! They are so committed, and influence so many other non-profits and charities around them that you could say they are a community force beyond their own mission. They think big, as illustrated by the amazing event they threw at Boomer Stadium. 4500 people came, and participated in drawing, balloon painting, cartooning and so much more! I foresee our partnership continuing to grow in the future!