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Creative Enrichment Program for Children

Nurturing Kids' Health, Creativity and Community through Yoga, Music, and Farm to Table classes

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Creative Enrichment Program for Children

Creative Enrichment Program for Children

Creative Enrichment Program for Children

Creative Enrichment Program for Children

Creative Enrichment Program for Children

Nurturing Kids' Health, Creativity and Community through Yoga, Music, and Farm to Table classes

Nurturing Kids' Health, Creativity and Community through Yoga, Music, and Farm to Table classes

Nurturing Kids' Health, Creativity and Community through Yoga, Music, and Farm to Table classes

Nurturing Kids' Health, Creativity and Community through Yoga, Music, and Farm to Table classes

Hitchcock Children's Center
Hitchcock Children's Center
Hitchcock Children's Center
Hitchcock Children's Center
1 Campaign |
Ventura, United States
$130 USD 4 backers
2% of $6,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Overview
Hello! My name is Lynnae Hitchcock, and Hitchcock Children's Center is the culmination of my dream to bring creative enrichment activities to children. Why Yoga, Music and Farm to Table? Yoga teaches children to focus, breathe, and move. It offers introspect, and builds community. Music brings all of us together, and family music classes strengthen bonds and support self-expression. Farm to Table classes teach sustainability and connection to the Earth. What could be more important?

Summary

  • My name is Lynnae, and I grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles, California.  As a very shy child, the dance studio was a place where I could express myself, make friends and develop skills to build self-esteem.  When I got older, I discovered music as a similar vehicle.  I started to play in bands and toured all over two continents, realizing the deep connections that people forge through the shared experience of music.  Later on, I began practicing yoga and really felt the empowerment of the mind/body/spirit connection.  When I started my work in Child Development, I saw immense benefits when I practiced yoga with the kids in my care.  I went through a Children's Yoga teacher training program, and made it a regular part of the curriculum in my preschool classes and after-school enrichment camps.  Another favorite activity, cooking, became equally popular with my classes, and I began to integrate gardening activities to show the full circle of how we nourish and sustain ourselves.  After starting a family of my own, and moving to coastal Ventura, California, I decided to open a program which would offer enrichment classes to children in the community.  I want to fill the world with joy, one child at a time!  
  •  This campaign will help me raise the funds to continue my 8-month-old program.  As a one-woman operation, I am limited in time, funding and energy.  I hope to grow my program within the next year to be able to bring at least one additional staff member on board.  I also intend to invest in more class materials, further my own professional development, and spread the word to our community through advertising.
  • With your help, I can offer more of the community a program which will connect children with their families, their communities and the natural world.  It will spread the joy and love of yoga and music, and teach the invaluable life skills of living off the land.  Ventura, a largely agricultural community, can benefit as well from a program that encourages children and families to grow or buy food locally, eat healthy and freshly prepared meals, and live in harmony with nature.  

What We Need & What You Get

  • To sustain this eight-month-old program, I need at least $6000 to get me through the end of this fiscal year.  That money will help with space rental, including a vegetable plot in the city's community garden; advertising costs; additional musical instruments and classroom materials, and further teacher training for myself.  My goal is to be self-sustaining by early next year! 
  • My "Harmony with Nature" package is like a sample of this wonderful program, for those of you who wish to contribute.  You will get a taste of each enrichment class through the items included:  A children's yoga mat, a small percussion instrument, and a Farm to Table recipe and lesson plan.  One package will be given to each contributor of $100, and additional perks will go to those who contribute from $100 up to $500.  Contributors of $500 or more receive a "Namaste" package, which includes the "Harmony" package in addition to a children's yoga book and lesson plan, a cd of children's music, a packet of organic seeds, a Hitchcock Children's Center magnetic bumper sticker, and recognition as a sponsor on our website "Thank You page."  If you can only afford to give under $100, you will still enjoy one special item from the packages.  In addition, every contributor will receive a personal and heart-felt thank you note.
  • If I don't reach my entire goal, the initial funds will go to advertising and space rental, in hopes that I can keep the ship afloat and continue to offer these important classes to the community.

The Impact

  • Whether you have children of your own or not, the experiences of this generation of kids will impact the world for generations to come.  We can grow a community of peaceful, healthy and productive humans by offering children the opportunities to practice these values now.  The result will be felt by all of us!
  • I have seen school-age children in their socially-awkward phase of life join hands and giggle and laugh together during a yoga session.  I have witnessed 4-year-olds help each other balance in a difficult pose, and build trust and camaraderie.  I've watched children with developmental and behavioral issues come to a music circle and find peace and relief in the singing and community. I have also experienced the joy and pride of children who grew their first vegetable, harvested it, and cooked it into a delicious recipe.  Another important aspect of these activities is that they don't carry the pressure of competition like so many other children's activities.  In my program, children learn through the pleasure of experience.  They have only to challenge themselves, and they are all winners in the end.
  • I can't express enough how important programs like mine can be for the greater community. Children are our greatest hope for a successful and sustainable future on Earth, and they thrive in creative environments when they are given the opportunity!

Risks & Challenges

The biggest challenge in sustaining and growing my program is getting the word out to the families of this community that these activities are just as beneficial as the traditional children's classes (ballet, soccer, etc.) they are paying for.  It is also essential that I keep my prices affordable so that local working-class families are able to participate.

  • I believe my education and background in child development, as well as my own experience as a mother, qualify me to communicate the value of this program.  I am passionate about yoga, music, and healthy living, but I am most passionate about children.  
  • One of the best ways to demonstrate my program's worth is through free demo classes.  I have offered free classes throughout the community as a way to raise awareness about my program, and I intend to continue these free demo classes at least quarterly.  Also, I have received positive accolades from many local families and testimonials from current and former colleagues about my skill and effectiveness as an educator.  Word of mouth goes a long way!

Other Ways You Can Help

  • If you are unable to contribute, that's o.k.!  THANK YOU FOR READING THIS!  If you have read this far, you are interested in a project that can fill the world with joy, one child at a time.  You can still help by spreading the word.
  • Please remember to use Indiegogo share tools (Facebook, twitter, etc.)  Let's get the word out and connect others to this important opportunity for our kids.

Thank you and Namaste!

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Choose your Perk

Farm To Table for Kids

$25 USD
You will receive one complete Farm to Table recipe and lesson plan, to share a cooking and gardening activity with the child/children in your life.
1 claimed

Zen Child

$50 USD
You will receive an original Hitchcock Children's Center lesson plan for practicing yoga with the child/children in your life, as well as a scented eye pillow.
0 claimed

Harmony with Nature

$100 USD
You will receive the "Harmony with Nature" package: A children's yoga mat, a small percussion instrument, and a Farm to Table recipe and lesson plan.
0 claimed

Harmony with Nature Package +

$200 USD
You will receive a "Harmony with Nature" package plus a scented eye pillow and public acknowledgement on our website for your generous donation!
0 claimed

Harmony with Nature + 3

$300 USD
You will receive a "Harmony with Nature" package, plus a scented eye pillow , one packet of organic seeds, one Hitchcock Children's Center magnetic bumper sticker, and a recognition as a sponsor on our website's 'Thank You' page.
0 claimed

Harmony with Nature + 4

$400 USD
You will receive a "Harmony with Nature" package plus a scented eye pillow, one packet of organic seeds, one children's cd, one Hitchcock Children's Center magnetic bumper sticker, and a recognition as a sponsor on our website's 'Thank You' page.
0 claimed

Namaste Package

$500 USD
You will automatically receive a "Namaste" package, which includes the "Harmony" package in addition to a scented eye pillow, children's yoga book and lesson plan, a cd of children's music, a packet of organic seeds, a Hitchcock Children's Center magnetic bumper sticker, and recognition as a sponsor on our website "Thank You page."
0 claimed
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