Creative Identity Concert Showcases Adults with Disabilities
Creative Identity, a leading non-profit music and art-based day program that serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, recently celebrated its 16th Annual Summer concert.
Anaheim, CA – June 17, 2014- Creative Identity has served the Orange County, CA area since 1996 by providing music therapy and the expressive arts training to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These avenues can promote positive change on all levels of human health, well-being, and foster development. For the 16th year in a row, they’ve expanded their clients’ talents and community outreach capabilities by producing annual performances such as the recent summer concert.
The concert was held at Creative Identity’s Anaheim, CA location on June 14th, 2014. It was entitled Safe and Sound and included twelve songs that contained a variety of genres. The clients were actively involved in various aspects of the program including the Creative Identity Choir, the Pride Band, and the Pride String Ensemble. Others performed solos and dance routines. A talented group of four individuals created their own original song entitled Musicology. The event also included various paintings and ceramic pieces that the clients produced. The monies received from the sale of these items go back into the program. Clients also earn a commission from the sale of their art and ceramic ware.
Creative Identity Choir performing community concert, showcasing their talents and musical progress at Creative Identity in Anaheim, CA (Creative Identity photo/ Renee Stewart Jackson)
“Individuals with disabilities are often marginalized in society, and meaningful participation in musical performances and expressive arts provides them with a powerful vehicle for self-expression and empowerment.” said Dr. Cynthia Smith, MT-BC, and Program Director for Creative Identity. She went on to say “When people in the mainstream of society witness what our clients can do, they can no longer doubt that individuals with disabilities are creative and contributing members of society.”
The staff and clients work very hard for several months to put this show on each year. A winter concert is also produced annually. The staff members that work at Creative Identity has these qualities in common: talent and training in music and the arts, a special love for working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a passion to assist them in maximizing their talents, and to help them to develop independently.
Creative Identity also focuses heavily on the benefits of music therapy. Using music as a tool to stimulate multiple sensory systems, including the tactile, proprioceptive, visual, and auditory systems, they are able to engage students and target important skill areas necessary for everyday living. By offering the option for students to develop and enhance their natural talents and skills onsite and practice implementing these skills in the community, creative potentials and personal skills are developed, and students take on a more active role in demonstrating that they are, in fact, creative and contributing members of society.
Here’s what a family member of one of the clients said about the Creative Identity program: “Thank you George for creating such a wonderful Creative Identity Family allowing my brother, Steve and his friends a place that allowed each of them to showcase their abilities.”
Creative Identity receives most of its funding from the Regional Center of Orange County, but this doesn’t cover all costs associated with their program. They rely heavily on support from donations. Creative Identity has learned that to receive much needed grant money from private foundations, they need to raise more money from individual donors before that can happen.
All donations are welcome, but with a monthly contribution of $20 or more, the donor will receive special recognition in the events programs. Without this crucial support, events like the summer concert and program services could be jeopardized.
Please join others like you and click here to donate: http://www.creativeidentity-oc.org/donations/
About Creative Identity
Creative Identity is a 501(c)(3) non-profit music and art-based pre-vocational day program that serves adults, 18 years of age and older, with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Anaheim, California. Based on the fundamental belief that music and the expressive arts can promote positive change on all levels of human health, well-being, and foster development, Creative Identity was established in 1996 by music therapist, founder, and Executive Director George Gilliam.
Contact information:
Curtis Nabors, Owner
Curtis Nabors PR
714-631-0988
Creative Identity Contact information:
Dr. Cynthia Smith, MT-BC, Program Director
Creative Identity
2580 W. Orange Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92804
714-527-2508
Website: http://www.creativeidentity-oc.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Creative-Identity/353648157581