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Kids Creative is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that offers arts based, peace education programs for Pre-K to High School age students through after school programs, workshops and summer camps.
OUR MISSION
The mission of Kids Creative is to foster the 6 C’s of peacemaking in youth: Confidence, Creativity, Conflict Resolution, Community, Collaboration and Cookies through arts education programs and live music and theater events.
OUR VISIONWe believe that a better, more peaceful future is achievable by teaching youth the creative, critical thinking and social skills necessary to make peace within themselves and in society.
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OUR VALUES
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WHO WE ARE?
Our Kids Creative teachers have many years of experience working with children of diverse backgrounds in a number of different artistic media. All staff members take part in extensive training in the Kids Creative curriculum and creative process as well as our Safety Plan and Procedures. A number of our staff members are certified in First Aid and CPR by the American Red Cross. Each staff member and volunteer is hired through a rigorous process of individual and group interviews, references and background checks that comply with New York State Department of Health requirements. Our Executive Director has a Masters graduate in Peace Education from Teachers College of Columbia University. Our staff includes professional actors, musicians and teaching artists, experienced classroom teachers, Applied Theatre Masters candidates from CUNY/SPS and Kids Creative Summer Camp Alumni.
Our staff has taught at schools all over New York City and the World, including the following in New York: The Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Columbia Grammar, The Heschel School, PS 6, PS 11, PS 87, PS 89, PS 102, PS 191, and many more... We have performed with shows in venues around the US, including the PNC Bank Arts Center, Symphony Space, Central Park's Summer Stage, Sea World, and Disney Land and in cities around the world, including London, Paris, Beijing, Beirut, Berlin and more. Kids Creative was founded by members of the Dirty Sock Funtime Band, voted best Kids Band by Time Out NY and regulars on Nick Jr.! |
MEET THE STAFF |
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Adam Jacobs, Executive Director/Co-Founder, Kids Creative: Adam founded Kids Creative with his brother Stephen in 2000 when he was still in college. Starting as a summer camp where 12 kids wrote a play, Adam has worked to make Kids Creative a premier arts and peace education organization in New York City, bringing arts and academic programs to almost 2,000 youth annually through summer camps, after school programs and workshops. Adam has an undergraduate degree in International Politics and a Masters degree in Peace Education, both from Columbia University. He is a sought-after thinker in the intersection of conflict resolution and the arts, giving talks and workshops at Columbia University, Vassar College, The Peace and Justice Studies Conference and The University of Istanbul. He was a founding member of PS 536, a progressive elementary school in the Bronx and has been quoted in such publications as The Daily News, CBS News and El Diario. He is also Mr. Clown, a lead performer in the internationally acclaimed rock group for kids, The Dirty Sock Funtime Band, and was a regular on Nick Jr and Chuck E Cheese TV. Adam originally hails from Minnesota (the Minnesota Twins are his favorite team EVER!!!).
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Stephen Jacobs, Head Teacher/Co-Founder: Currently El Presidente of The Dirty Sock Funtime Band, Stephen graduated from the University of Minnesota Masters Program in Education and is a certified teacher. Stephen heads up the Kids Creative Band each summer and co-directed the camp for 8 years. He teaches for Kids Creative at the PS 87 After School Program as well as giving guitar lessons to people of all ages, holding bi-annual Guitar Concerts for his students. Stephen is a classical guitarist and a composer. Even though he loves the Minnesota Twins, he also really likes the Minnesota Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild and Strikers.
Ashley Bermudez, HR Manager/Program Coordinator: Ashley is from the North Bronx, she went to high school in Colorado home of Chic-Fill-A and Crocs and was a Journalism major at the University of Northern Colorado until the streets of NYC called her back home. Now she is a proud mama to two of the cutest girls you ever did see! She has been with Kids Creative for 6 years and plans to conquer the world through the, majesty of the blog – keep your eyes peeled!
Garrett Blair started with Kids Creative in the summer of 2010 as a head teacher of our youngest group, kindergarten and first grade. He then designed and became the Events and Productions Director, ensuring a higher quality of performance and execution for our students work. In January he took over as Program Director excitedly continuing the development of Kids Creative's curriculum. Originally from the Boston area, Garrett has been teaching and directing youth theatre for nearly 20 years. He is graduate a Columbia University with a B.A. in theatre. SITE DIRECTORSLaronda Parker is our Site Director at "The IDEAL School". She is amazing and makes sure everything is smooth sailing. |
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Melissa Garcia is the Site Director at "P.S 102". She have worked with Kids Creative for 4 years. A graduate from Cardinal Spellman High School. I attended Lehman and Hostos College. There I received my certificates as a Nurses Aide, Phlebotomist, and Electrocardiograph Technician. Her favorite thing about working with kids is the joy and excitement that they bring out. No matter what kind of day you are having the kids will always brighten your day from looking at their innocence and smiles. She can be reacted at melissa@kidscreative.org.
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Becky Irizarry is our Site Coordinator for "Rock 2 the Bronx". She makes sure everyone is participating and having a good time.
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BOARD DIRECTORS AND ADVISORS
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Board of Director
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Board of Advisors
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