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CR8 ME
Creative Expression & Healing Program

Program Overview

CR8 Me is a 16-week, site-based creative expression program designed for youth and young adults ages 9–24. The program introduces participants to a wide range of creative disciplines while using expressive arts as a tool for healing, identity development, confidence building, and emotional release.

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Through hands-on workshops led by professional artists and creatives, participants explore art, music, dance, comedy, poetry, songwriting, producing, acting/theatre, photography/filming, and playwriting. Each workshop builds upon participants’ natural talents while teaching expressive techniques that allow youth to externalize emotions, process lived experiences, and tell their stories in their own voice.

CR8 Me culminates in a community showcase or performance, where participants present their original work—celebrating creativity, growth, and resilience.

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The program can be:

  • Delivered on-site at partner agencies, schools, or community organizations

  • Facilitated directly with youth served by host organizations

  • Implemented through a Train-the-Trainer model, equipping staff and facilitators to sustain the program long-term

Core Program Components 

1. Creative Arts Workshops

  • Participants engage in weekly workshops across multiple creative disciplines, including; art, music, dance, comedy, poetry, songwriting, producing, acting/theatre, photography/filming, and playwriting

  • Workshops are led by professional creatives and designed to be accessible, inclusive, and trauma-informed.


2. Expressive Arts & Emotional Processing

Creative exercises intentionally support youth in:

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  • Expressing emotions that may be difficult to verbalize

  • Processing stress, trauma, grief, and life transitions

  • Building emotional awareness and regulation through creative practice

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3. Skill Development & Creative Confidence

Participants develop:

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  • Artistic and technical skills within chosen disciplines

  • Confidence in self-expression and public presentation

  • Collaboration, discipline, and creative problem-solving


4. Culminating Showcase or Performance

The program concludes with a public or semi-public showcase where youth:

 

  • Perform or display original creative work

  • Share their stories in a supportive environment

  • Experience validation, celebration, and community connection

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5. Train-the-Trainer Model (Optional)

CR8 Me offers a Train-the-Trainer option for partner agencies, providing:

 

  • Curriculum materials and facilitation guides

  • Staff training and coaching

  • Tools to integrate creative expression into ongoing youth programming


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Outcomes and Impacts

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Creative Expression Outcomes

Original artistic work produced, creative portfolios developed, increased confidence in self-expression, participation in performances or showcases

Job interview

Emotional & Social Outcomes

Improved emotional awareness, healthy emotional release, increased coping strategies, reduced emotional isolation, improved peer connection

Online Meeting Setup

Skill-Building Outcomes

Artistic and technical skill development, communication skills, collaboration, discipline, creative problem-solving

Friends

Engagement & Belonging Outcomes

Consistent program participation, sense of belonging, positive identity development, increased engagement in school or community activities

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