Creative Kids Count, Inc. is a non-profit organization that reaches out to help children who may be abused, handicapped, sick, orphaned, or otherwise at risk. Creative Kids was founded in 1998 by Jennifer Sasso. She was 14 years old at the time and saw a drawing that changed the course of her life. The picture was drawn by a young girl; it showed a man striking a woman, with the child looking on, crying. It was labeled: "The night before we came to the Shelter." Jenn knew she had to do something to reach out to this little girl and others like her. She started an arts program at the particular shelter in Tampa, and from there the program grew to become an extensive youth-empowerment organization. Creative Kids is "by kids, for kids" -- it has always been led by young people who want to make a difference in the world by reaching out to other young people.
In 2000, Creative Kids received its official 501c(3) status. Youth leaders of Creative Kids, including Allison Sasso and Emily Sasso, the Diaz family (Chris, Kelly, Christopher, Cameron, Nick and Taylor), as well as other teens and young people, have expanded the reach of the program to include empowerment workshops, theater and arts education, holiday celebrations, art therapy, donation drives, and a Confidence for Communicating speech course with the Boys & Girls Club. During the last 15 years, Creative Kids has helped more than 30,000 young people, has reached hundreds of elderly members of the community, and has raised over $70,000 for those in need. Equally important, Creative Kids has been a way for thousands of youth to get involved in their community.
In 2000, Creative Kids received its official 501c(3) status. Youth leaders of Creative Kids, including Allison Sasso and Emily Sasso, the Diaz family (Chris, Kelly, Christopher, Cameron, Nick and Taylor), as well as other teens and young people, have expanded the reach of the program to include empowerment workshops, theater and arts education, holiday celebrations, art therapy, donation drives, and a Confidence for Communicating speech course with the Boys & Girls Club. During the last 15 years, Creative Kids has helped more than 30,000 young people, has reached hundreds of elderly members of the community, and has raised over $70,000 for those in need. Equally important, Creative Kids has been a way for thousands of youth to get involved in their community.