OVERVIEW

CONCEPT OVERVIEW

The CREATE Project is an “arts-based” intervention designed to help communities embrace the goal of becoming free of child trauma, abuse and child-neglect, a place where children are free to grow to their highest potential.

We bring attention to the idea that such a community is possible – here and now. Our community has many positive traits. However, like every other place in America, the area suffers from the social problems of child-abuse and child-neglect. It is this challenge that the CREATE Project endeavors to address. The programs hosted by the CREATE Project help people understand child-abuse and child-neglect, and how these issues impact not only children, but everyone, including you. Designed to compel people to think, the CREATE Project inspires change and new ways of looking at problems and solutions.

MISSION:

The CREATE Project mission is to encourage and support arts-based community initiatives dedicated to helping our community become free of child trauma, abuse and neglect, and to become a place where children can thrive. We do this through arts-based collaborations, education, support, and outreach.

CREATE is an acronym for: “Child Responsive Empowering Art Through Everyone.”

VISION

The CREATE Project envisions a world where children can develop, free of trauma, abuse and neglect and grow to their highest potential, supported by the their families, communities, and the arts.

WHO WE ARE

The CREATE Project is a membership and community partnership organization, open to all. We spearhead and support arts-based initiatives so communities can become places where children can thrive, free of child trauma, abuse and neglect. Our arts-based initiatives bring attention to the needs of families and children. The work of contemporary, folk and traditional artists; cultural and child-focused organizations; academic specialists, and tradition-bearers are integral to our purpose.

Founded in 2016 in Dunkirk, NY, the CREATE Project, provides opportunities for individuals interested in children, families, and the arts, to share their concerns, activities, culture and knowledge. Our common goal is to create a community free of child trauma, abuse and neglect.  Through its community gatherings, on-line presence, arts initiatives, programs, and publications, the CREATE Project provides a means for artists, tradition-bearers, child-field professionals and persons concerned with the welfare of children and families to connect with each other. Through these initiatives, families and community members can learn about and enjoy each other; contemporary and traditional and folk arts; and positive child-rearing practices.

Board members include:

President: Mary Miller, former librarian and grant writer

Secretary: Landon Gray, Chautauqua Brass musician

Board member: Rebecca Warren, MM, MT-BC, board-certified music therapist

Board member: Carol Ludwig, LCSW, retired social worker and therapist

Makayla Santiago-Froebel, Arts Marketing Specialist

Founder: Valerie Walawender, M.A.

Members include parents, children, artists, musicians, performers, tradition-bearers, teachers, government officials, medical professionals, members of law enforcement, social service agency professionals, members of different faith traditions, and professional and non-professional community members.

Together, we can do it!

We can create a community that is free of child trauma, abuse and neglect, where children can thrive.  Getting everyone “on the same page” to commit to the movement and understand these issues is a first step.

Together with parents, grandparents, kids, and other family and community members, certain individuals and entities play critical roles in the CREATE Project initiative.  Community Partners, Artists, Tradition-Bearers and Child-field workers have the opportunity to share their perspectives, practices, and resources.

  • Tradition-bearers are individuals in the community or family who pass valued traditions and practices along to the younger generations and larger community.

Respected for their knowledge and sought after for their understanding and memory, tradition-bearers hold a unique position in their families, community, and people. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighborhood leaders, pastors, folk artists and others often play an important role for the common good.

Anxious to pass on their knowledge of seasonal celebrations, family traditions, values, folk arts, traditional music, child-rearing, old songs, traditional dances, agriculture, animal husbandry, food preparation, and community gatherings, tradition-bearers have access to their communities in ways that others don’t. They are often sought out by family and community members.

Because of the unique position they hold, tradition-bearers transmit values, practices, traditions, and knowledge within specific communities and families. Without even being aware of it, tradition bearers often use what is known as “best practices” for child rearing. According to some child-field workers, best child-rearing practices include such ideas as nurturing, engagement, challenge, and structure.

The CREATE Project believes that Tradition-bearers should be supported by the larger culture, to understand and carry on their important work. When this happens, families are strengthened, positive child-rearing practices are reinforced, and children benefit.

  • Child-field workers are individuals who have formally studied child development, children’s issues, family dynamics, children’s health and other childhood issues, and practice in professional fields such as counseling or child education. Child-field workers are in a unique position in a community. Often very knowledgeable about the most current critical thinking concerning best practices for child rearing, they are anxious to share their understanding.
  • Artists are individuals who practice different art forms such as music, visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, media arts, digital and other art forms. Artists produce original paintings, murals, sculpture, music, theater, puppetry, graphic art, digital art, stories, poetry, books, essays, songs, photography, plays, skits, film, videos, fashion, crafts, and other creative works. Artists collaborate with community partners to produce new works of art that bring attention to the CREATE Project mission. They also present their arts in community programs, events, and classes. l fields such as counseling or child education. Most importantly, artists bring new ideas and creativity to the community to address the problems of child-trauma, abuse and neglect, and work towards creating a world where children can thrive.
  • Partners are entities in the community who actively work with the CREATE Project to create a community where children can thrive. Businesses, schools, medical professionals, law enforcement, the judicial system, government, agencies, churches, media outlets, clubs, organizations, grass-root groups, parents, grandparents, kids, and others are part of a CREATE Project network committed to the goal to make our community free of child-trauma, abuse, and neglect. Everyone has a part and everyone can contribute and work with CREATE Project artists, child-field workers, and tradition-bearers to help make the CREATE Project mission a reality in our community.

The CREATE Project makes available opportunities for both Tradition-bearers and Child-Field workers to share their art forms and practices with each other. The goal for this exchange is for each to understand and transmit best child-rearing practices within specific communities and to open up opportunities for each to play their important role in the community. Tradition-bearers have the opportunity to provide valuable knowledge about their people’s practices and traditions, and the Child-Field workers learn about, support and encourage tradition-bearers’ role in their family and culture. Each points out how they are already using best practices in regards to children. They also brainstorm ideas for how these practices and values can be reinforced in the community.

OUR PARTNERS

CREATE Project Partnerships include community organizations such as the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County, the City of Dunkirk, Dunkirk City School, P-Tech College and Career Academy, the Dunkirk Public Library, CAP (Child Advocacy Program) and the Blossom Garden Friends Peace and Education Center.

We enjoy the cooperation and support of other community entities including the CASAC (Chautauqua Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Council); Chautauqua County Girl Scouts; SUNY Fredonia School of Music, Music Therapy Department; the Dunkirk Housing Authority; Hae Jude Custom Signs; and Mudslingers Pottery Studio.