Jill Gurr

Founder @Create Now

Los Angeles, CA, US

Create Now is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1996 that empowers at-risk and high-risk youth through arts education and mentoring. We serve vulnerable children ages 3-24 (transition age youth) with therapeutic programs in writing, visual arts, fashion, performing arts, culinary arts, music, digital media and cultural journeys. Kids who have been abused, neglected, homeless, incarcerated and dealing with other challenges learn to express themselves in a positive manner versus the destructive ways that they have in the past. Each year, we also bring thousands of these \"forgotten children\" who have fallen through the cracks to concerts, plays and other cultural events at premiere venues in the region. We have reached over of the most troubled youth in Southern California during the last 24 years.Jill was featured on \"NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams,\" and on KTLA\'s \"Heroes at Home.\" Since 2009, she is in an ongoing exhibition at the Museum of Tolerance,\"Everyday Heroes,\" and she was selected by the British Council to go on a Global xChange program to Durban, South Africa and Belfast, Northern Ireland with 25 leaders from six countries. She is included in the upcoming book,\"100 Making a Difference\" by celebrity photographer John Russo and CNN correspondent Elizabeth Chambers.Create Now has been featured on \"Anderson Cooper 360°,\" KABC, KNBC, Fox11 News, O magazine (twice!), and the LA Times (twice). We received the prestigious \"2011 Community Resource Award\" from the International Visitors Council due to Jill\'s popular presentations to diplomats and dignitaries, through the U.S. State Department.

Boston University

B.S., Broadcasting and Film