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Sam and I first connected over the movie, (500) Days of Summer, through Million Little’s Creative Leadership program. The film is about Tom, who projects all of his romantic ideals onto Summer, his love interest.
Being a father for nearly 29 years has been an incredible journey, one that comes with its own unique set of challenges and rewards.
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The first book we read with our first grade artists during Creativity in the Classroom and Beyond is Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg, a simple and delightful story about how our mistakes can take us on adventures.
We weren’t sure if Daniel was still participating in Creative Leadership. He hadn’t come in three weeks, so we guessed we wouldn’t be seeing him for anymore of this six-week offering.
Creative Mindfulness Program: "Shoota" a rapper and true lyricist expressed that creating music makes space for him to express the things that are more difficult to say outside of the music.
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While our Creativity in the Classroom and Beyond program is not set to return to Newhall Elementary until January 2024, we were fortunate enough to be a part of their Family Fun Fall Festival, where new and returning participants alike were able to get an early taste of what’s to come.
Program participant and high school student, “Julia”, said she joined the Creative Leadership Program, “to be able to create something I would wear,” and she did just that.
This year, Million Little staff and nine high school students made up the 2023 Creative Leadership (CL) summer cohort, self-named Create to Inspire.
Last month we launched our Create the Change Leadership Program. A strengths-based workforce program grounded in creativity and self-expression.
One of the great things that we really value about our programs at Million Little is that they are truly directed by our students' interests. Whatever interests our students want to pursue we are there to help support them in their endeavors.
"Looking Within" is currently participating in Million Little’s juvenile detention program for the third time. She is an amazing young woman, responsible for inspiring countless girls to learn new skills and reach for new heights.
Our imagination is a powerful tool. It reminds us that the way things are now is not the way they always will be. We are capable of creating worlds, characters, stories, and our own futures.
We have been inspired by Isaac’s spirit ever since first meeting him in our Transitional Age Youth program.
Many of our program participants feel pressure to not make any mistakes. They relate to Victoria, who shared, “I think I’m a perfectionist with my art because I can’t control anything else in my life.”
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When Jenny entered Million Little’s program, her instinct was to stay in her comfort zone by drawing the pattern she often doodles during class.
Million Little has been proud to watch what we’ve seen of James’ journey and transformation thus far. His light shines brightly, showing others that they too can commit to the processes of recovery and growth.
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It is hypnotizing to watch Draegen at work. His fingers move quickly, manipulating wire and clay into fantastical creatures.
Million Little begins each of our creative mindfulness sessions inside the juvenile detention camp with a period of self reflection.
When Roland walked into his first session with us, he was hesitant about the creative process because he didn’t have a lot of experience with art.
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ISAAC holds within his imagination a vast fantasy universe filled with inter-generational family feuds, wise warriors, and tangled love stories. He is passionate about both drawing and storytelling, and has been working on this graphic novel since 8th grade.
“I know I’m great, but sometimes someone has to remind me I’m great.” Million Little Program Participant (RICKY), 21
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Since James joined Million Little two months ago, he has consistently inspired us with his strength, compassion, and determination.
The road to happiness can be a very fickle one. It's safe to say that one person’s definition of "happy" can be drastically different and vary greatly from another’s.
Our lives illustrate the wonderfully diverse spectrum that makes up this great rainbow of a nation.
Everything isn't always black and white... right or wrong... good or bad. There are a lot of messy, layered, complex, misunderstood grey areas when it comes to many of life's situations.
How do you cope in the midst of chaos? What do you do when you're in a hostile environment but don't have the luxury of physically removing yourself from it... When you're not at liberty to change the very nature of your surroundings?
Maya Angelou wrote, “Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”
Each youth in our program has a story, and we allow them to share it on their own terms.
When we work with children with trauma sometimes the mission seems so daunting and scary.
Mother Teresa once said, “Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyways.”
The idea of encouraging children to participate in a mock battle may seem shocking.
Million Little’s juvenile detention program gives our girls the opportunity to access new forms of self-expression and share their voice in a supportive and safe environment. All too often, assumptions cloud our ability to see someone’s true self, what they’ve been through and where they’re going.
PO Box 800369
Santa Clarita, CA 91380
25050 Avenue Kearny
Suite 212
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 425-4872
info@millionlittle.com
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