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2012 Top-Rated Nonprofit

Creating Communities Corporation

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Nonprofit Overview

Causes: Arts & Culture, Arts Education

Mission: Our Vision: To create communities where the arts are an integral component of our social fabric; where the power of creativity connects, enriches and transforms lives. Our Mission: To harness the power of the arts to build life skills and self-esteem, and foster connections across cultures. We seek to partner with communities and provide underserved populations with direct access to the arts through innovative programs and mentorships.

Results: Creating Communities Quick Facts • Key partners: Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, Whole Foods of Annapolis, Baldwin Family Foundation, Carol M. Jacobsohn Foundation, Graham Landscape Architecture, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Maryland State Arts Council, Maximus Properties, Parole Rotary • Approximately 20% of the families served by the youth programs have an income of $26,000 or less; one-third of these families describe their economic condition as “barely making ends meet.” • The Arts Mentorship Academy (AMA) has served nearly 300 children age 8-17 since 2008 and has grown over 270% since that time. • 93% of parents believe that the lessons learned through the artistic and creative activities of the AMA benefit their child academically • 95% of the students shared what they learned with their parent or guardian, demonstrating that the arts bring families together • 100% of parents/guardians stated that they thought the AMA taught their child positive life skills and 73% noticed talents in their child of which they were not aware • 100% of parents/guardians were “very satisfied” with the AMA. • 91% of the participants, in a recent Life Skills Through Arts session felt they would apply the lessons learned outside of the program and 89% would continue to use the lessons learned after leaving the shelter.

Programs: Programs That Change Lives The Arts Mentorship Academy (AMA) program is one example of Creating Communities at work. AMA is an Arts-based alternative education opportunity for young people ages 8 to 17 providing Arts instruction, mentoring, and experiential learning. The program also focuses on teaching academic competencies based on Maryland State Voluntary Curriculum standards. The program teaches artistic skills while it fosters community service. It also teaches life skills such as leadership development and teamwork, which in turn build self-confidence and self-reliance. The Arts Mentorship Academy serves 100 students and runs for one week in the summer, with occasional weekend intensives and after school sessions. A typical day at the Academy begins with the teachers/mentors leading students in an interactive session. Students then break out into smaller groups to work closely with master artists, followed by collaborative art projects such as creating murals, participating in a drumming circle, or choreographing a group dance. Another program, The Youth Arts Fellowship (YAF), is an innovative arts-based alternative education opportunity that provides instruction, mentoring, and experiential learning for twenty Annapolis and Anne Arundel County 10th to 12th graders. YAF is designed for students who are particularly challenged by traditional curricula and who need additional support to assist them in reaching personal and academic goals. Students meet one Saturday per month for ten months for an all-day retreat. The teacher-to-student ratio is 1:4 enabling personal mentoring and special attention to the needs of each student. Field trips to the Kennedy Center, Baltimore Museum of Art, and Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts broaden and enrich the student’s experience. The group also takes part in three, arts-based community service projects, giving back to the wider community while strengthening the social fabric. Not only youth but also adults are benefited from Creating Communities’ programs. For example the Life Skills Through The Arts track includes an eight-week program for parents residing at Sarah’s House. Located in Anne Arundel County, Sarah’s House is a supportive housing program offering emergency shelter rooms and transitional apartments for families that are homeless. The typical family consists of a mother and two children. More than 55 percent of the residents served annually are children. In FY2010-2011, over 325 children lived at Sarah’s House. Poetry, music, drawing, and storytelling, are just a few of the means used to develop life skills and encourage learning.

Community Stories

12 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

Nushi C.

Volunteer

Rating: 5

I have participated in CC's Thanksgiving Fest as a turkey cooker! I love how Rob and his amazing and dedicated volunteers reach out to our community in Eastport/Annapolis and make sure that these families know they are loved and respected. The kids have a great time with art and craft, parents get served and the whole family eat a delicious and nutritious meal together. I am thankful to be part of this community outreach and enjoy a meal with my neighbors as we serve and love them.

1 Terra2

Client Served

Rating: 5

As a parent, I have seen how Creating Communities bridges the gaps between generations, communities, and the children who live there. Although my children have attended the mentorship academy, I am aware that Creating Communities does more for the community at-large, than simply provide scholarships for students. Services they provide to local shelters and other organizations throughout the county are phenomenal. I am especially fond of the Thanksgiving Dinner they provide, with the help of its many sponsors, annually. What a great organization to be part of!

1 Nushi

Volunteer

Rating: 5

I have volunteered at the Summer of Arts & Music Camp Creating Communities offers every year to our local underserved children (Elementary thru High School). Rob Levit pulls together a team of experts in arts & music to lead creative and exciting classes to help these kids express their thoughts, feelings, and aspirations in a new and fun manner. They get physical, mental, and emotional rejuvenation as they participate in this weeklong event. Families & Friends attend a "show" at the end of the week and witness the amazing projects and results of their children's time at this camp. The talent and passion demonstrated by these children and their leaders takes them by surprise. These kids walk taller, with a smile on their face, knowing how much talent they have and cherished they are by this group of local "fans". I have loved attending this closing ceremony for the past 3 years and I'm glad I have had a small part in supporting this effective organization.

1 Angela46

Client Served

Rating: 5

As Development Director at an addictions treatment center, I was privileged to work with Rob Levit and Creating Communities as part of their music and arts therapy. The program offered to the patients in recovery was nothing less than amazing. Through the use of music, meditation techniques, poetry, painting, and even rap, Rob and the CC volunteers encouraged the patients to use the arts as a healthy expression of emotions and to explore long forgotten dreams and talents. During each weekly 90 minute session, the transformation of the participants was nothing short of miraculous. Even those patients who initially were reluctant to participate were drawn to Rob's enthusiastic, congenial and self-effacing manner. I witnessed many instances of the most hardened, withdrawn patients, many fighting years of addiction find joy in picking up a guitar, a paintbrush, or even putting pen to paper. At the end of each session the overwhelming majority of patients expressed that they would continue to use what they had learned, and that it would help them in their journey to recovery and sobriety. Creating Communities has truly had a life-changing impact on the community they serve.

1 Norman R.

Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

A very wonderful non-profit!! My wife and I were so moved to work with your students this past summer. You are doing wonders bringing artists into the lives of deserving students. Bravo!! N. Scott Robinson & K.S. Resmi

1 Karen142

Volunteer

Rating: 5

Creating Communities is an inspiration! I had the pleasure to volunteer and teach with this awesome organization and always feel so uplifted by every aspect. From the wonderful and very enthusiastic students, amazing and dedicated staff of volunteers, teachers, visiting artists, board members and Rob Levit, there is now doubt Anne Arundel County is a better county because Creating Communities exists.

Leonard2

Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

As a Professor and Community activist, Creating Communities Corporation was one of the most amazing experiences I had in working with children and teens in sharing my passion but also promoting creativity and the performing arts. The Corporation is well organized and benefits important communities that need the support in gaining access to all of the art forms!

Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

I have worked in Anne Arundel County for the past 23 years. I have run programs, worked within programs, and volunteered for programs. From my perspective, Creating Communities is well worth the time and money to help support, or in seeking their programming! I have seen the director, Rob Levit, in action. He is personable, caring, passionate about his work, and provides wonderful opportunities within the community he serves, through Creating Communities. His talent is fantastic and his ability to share his passion for music and the arts is awesome. I also know from personal experience that Creating Communities helps other organizations with their outreach, thereby expanding even further, Creating Communities impact and community outreach. The programs that are run, spare no expense, and if you read the mission, vision, and quick facts, I believe Creating Communities meets and exceeds what is written on paper.

1

Client Served

Rating: 5

We are a few of the grateful recipients of Creating Communities. As a small local organization, hosting "Sensory Friendly Concerts" in the Annapolis, Maryland region, we are more than happy to shout from the rooftops that our work would not be possible without Creating Communities! And specifically, Rob Levit's belief in us and what we are capable of, as a minority and under-served group in our local community. It would be impossible to for us to continue doing our innovative work in constructing the framework for "equal rights to the fine arts" and celebrating the Neurodiversity Movement within the context of a formal concert venue, unless we had Creating Communities backing us up! Thank you for believing us in!!!!!

1 Annebeth S.

Volunteer

Rating: 4

When you see how many people Creating Communities touches in so many ways - it's amazing. Rob is tireless in his efforts and so committed. I aspire to be like him when I grow up.

1

Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

I am music therapist and huge fan of Creating Communities. The work that Rob Levit does truly falls within the scope and practice of the field of music therapy, though he does not have this credential. I highly suggest to anyone that if they are looking for a professional artist who will "meet them" musically, Rob Levit can do this type of work, in any setting, with any population. He has the heart and passion of true empathetic musician, and a true visionary for a greater local community and a greater world.

1 Judy62

Volunteer

Rating: 5

I am privileged to participate in Creating Communities annual Thanksgiving Jam as a "turkey cooker" since the program first began. The past 2 years, i stayed for the festivities and helped serve dinner. The spirit of community in that room is overwhelming. The gratitude of the dinner guests is most humbling. Maybe the guests will have another Thanksgiving meal, maybe this was the only one they will have. On that night, we are all just one big family, sharing a meal, sharing some laughter, and giving thanks for the blessings we have. So many lives are enriched by Creating Communities. Give them a few hours of your time and see for yourself....