Episode 141: Turning Trash into Treasure - Child Creativity Lab Inspires Next Generation Innovators

November 5, 2024

In Special Session Episode 141 of Biz-Souls, hosts Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler (behind the camera this time) explore the wonders of child-driven innovation with the inspiring team at Child Creativity Lab (CCL) in Santa Ana, California. Rona sits down with CCL's CEO, Tracy Hill, who shares her passion for nurturing creativity in young minds and the importance of incorporating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) into children’s learning experiences. With their mission to inspire critical thinkers, problem-solvers, innovators, leaders, and environmental stewards, CCL exemplifies how creativity can transform everyday materials—and lives…

Click here for Spotify podcast link.

Volunteer of the Month - Rosanna Lafarga, Irvine, CA

October 23, 2024

This month, we honor Rosanna Lafarga, a pillar at our Child Creativity Lab Entrepreneur Camps with Innovative Housing Opportunities, Irvine, CA, and the Boys and Girls Club of Buena Park, CA.

Rosanna's passion for education and hands-on learning inspires fellow volunteers. At the Child Creativity Lab Entrepreneur Camps, Rosanna is integral in guiding the students through the projects to help them elaborate and fully explore their business plans, igniting their imagination. She helps kids explore their creative potential while encouraging problem-solving, teamwork, and self-expression…

Fountain Valley middle school students learn the auto business at Hyundai HQ

October 5, 2024

A group of middle-school students spent the day at Hyundai Headquarters in Fountain Valley to learn more about pursuing a career in the automotive business. During the event, the students created their own vehicles out of upcycled materials from kits supplied by Child Creativity Lab.

Fulton Middle School science teacher Amy Peterson, who was present at the event, said, "I'm a big believer that students learn best with hands-on activities… so getting their creative brains moving and all that is the best way that they learn."

Unveiling Creativity: Exploring Child Creativity Lab’s Journey

September 18, 2024

At OC Waste & Recycling, we are passionate about resource recovery. That's why we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on an organization that shares our vision for a brighter, more sustainable future: Child Creativity Lab (CCL) in Santa Ana.

At CCL, creativity isn't just a buzzword; it's the driving force behind every workshop, program, and initiative. By infusing art into STEM education, CCL empowers students to approach challenges from unconventional angles, fostering a mindset of innovation and resourcefulness…

Orange County Arts Awards Honor Local Talent, Organizations and Patrons

October 13, 2023

The five honorees who will be recognized Oct. 17 at the 23rd Orange County Arts Awards hail from distinctly different artistic sectors: flamenco dance, theater education, professional music performance, stimulating children’s creativity, high-profile performing arts organizations.

But whether they are individuals who create, or organizations that facilitate the work, the five share a connection that goes beyond the obvious one of being involved in the arts…

Focus on Philanthropy – Doubling Success Through Collaboration - Child Creativity Lab and Innovative Housing Opportunities

September 21, 2023

First Foundation proudly supports the nonprofits with which our employees are involved. Two of our current community partners in Orange County, Child Creativity Lab and Innovative Housing Opportunities, are connected to our employees and each other. Child Creativity Lab (CCL) has hosted programs at Innovative Housing Opportunity’s (IHO) affordable housing communities in the past, which allowed First Foundation to unite both nonprofits to benefit a community in Anaheim, CA, with a fun summer program.

Philanthropy - Bits & Pieces

July 26, 2022

Child Creativity Lab hosted its 10th Anniversary Gala on May 20, which raised more than $65,000 and was sponsored by VCS Environmental, Selman Chevrolet, Harvey & Parmelee LLP, Radcliffe & Associates, BEHR Paint, Professional Plastics, Huddle Bottles and several others.

Robotics Challenge with PIMCO and Child Creativity Lab

September, 2022

Shalimar students tested their innovation and creativity when they were challenged to make a robot using up-cycled materials. Each student partnered with a PIMCO volunteer, and the teams worked together to use materials to make their unique robot. PIMCO also donated $1000 at the event which was part of their global month of volunteering.

This West Coast mattress maker looks to earn sustainability certification

September 23, 2022

“Diamond has been recycling and upcycling materials in various ways for many years, and now it’s exciting to bring them all together in a concerted effort to build a sustainability policy across our multi-site production and offices,” said Craig McAndrews, Diamond Mattress president.

Diamond Mattress Up Dial on Sustainability

September 19, 2022

Diamond Mattress will seek sustainability certification from the Mattress Recycling Council, kicking off a company-wide initiative to formalize green practices and policy across its two locations in California and Texas.

Diamond Mattress partners with Child Creativity Lab to up-cycle production waste materials

April 11, 2022

Diamond is donating scrap materials from its Southern California factory to Child Creativity Lab (CCL), a local non-profit organization whose mission is to cultivate creativity in children with science, technology, engineering, art and math. CCL uses materials from Diamond Mattress that would otherwise be thrown away to support educators and parents with their curriculum and makerspaces.

Respect 90 Volunteer Spotlight

December 15, 2021

Suzanne Ellingson likens her role with Orange County’s Child Creativity Lab, to riding the rails of The Little Engine That Could. “I’m so excited to be part of it,” says the big-hearted philanthropist/volunteer who learned of CCL through a friend who told her, “It’s a very grass roots organization. If you get involved, you’re going to be wearing a lot of hats but they have a social enterprise component that speaks to your business side and your philanthropic side.”

Cushman & Wakefield’s ASPIRE ERG Goes Full STEAM in Joining Child Creativity Lab to Help Foster NextGen Thinkers and Innovators

October 28, 2021

The in-person effort took part on October 15 and was led by Cushman & Wakefield’s Community Outreach Chairs Susan Keokham and Lloyd Legaspi in coordination with Child Creativity Lab’s CEO Tracey Hill, Director of Operations Tiffany Hayden and Volunteer Coordinator Zaira Arias.

Newport Beach-Based OC Community Foundation Hosts “Igniting Potential” Giving Day Sept. 22

September 16, 2021

On Sept. 22, the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) will bring together 17 local nonprofits to raise $200,000 during Igniting Potential, a 24-hour collaborative giving day to support Orange County’s youth.

OC STEM initiative awards honor CUSD elementary educators

July 13, 2021

Two Capistrano Unified elementary school educators say their recent STEM award endorses the importance of scientific innovation and discovery in children. The Orange County STEM Initiative has awarded district Elementary Science Curriculum Specialist Elisa Slee and YMCA Site Director Upni Kaur with this year’s Outstanding STEM Educator awards.The honor recognizes their efforts in helping students learn new ways to develop scientific knowledge and respond in new ways to serious global challenges.

Innovative STEAM Nights bring families together in discovery

May 21, 2021

Capistrano Unified schools are building students’ enthusiasm for science through innovative programs while coping with coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

Small Ways We Can Protect the Environment On a Daily Basis

April 22, 2021

“I do not use plastic bottles anymore, and I’m making an effort to use only metal bottles that I refill when I am on the go. I also help a local organization, Child Creativity Lab, build STEAM kits for kid programs with recyclable materials and we encourage the local community and businesses to recycle materials going to trash by dropping them off at our lab.”

—Isabelle Bart, social entrepreneur and coach, Irvine, CA

Celebrate Earth Day 2021 In Mission Viejo: Trash Into Treasure

April 21, 2021

Recycled materials are being collected in these areas of Orange County thanks to a partnership between the Child Creativity Lab & the YMCA.

Disneyland donations by the numbers during the pandemic

PUBLISHED: February 21, 2021 at 9:15 a.m. | UPDATED: February 21, 2021 at 7:09 p.m.

The donations from Disneyland have ranged from novelty Mickey Mouse plush toys and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge popcorn buckets to essential food pantry items and baby diapers.

Upcoming Project Reveal #1 with… Child Creativity Lab

Sep 22, 2020

The Commit the Change team is excited to present our first project for the 2020–2021 school year! We will be collaborating with the nonprofit, Child Creativity Lab, to create an online waiver system and a platform to sell educational kits for children.

Capistrano Unified STEAM partners pivot to online learning with creative at-home projects for kids

April 2, 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic deepens and home sheltering continues indefinitely, children and parents are seeking educational and family activities in which to engage, which may lead to a brave new world of learning and enrichment.

Community invited to “Full Steam Ahead,” free family event and virtual benefit for Child Creativity Lab

On Thursday, Nov. 12, the entire community is invited to a free and fun family event from 6-6:30 p.m. benefiting Child Creativity Lab (CCL), a nonprofit that many residents in Newport Beach have supported since its start in 2012.The benefit is aptly named “Full Steam Ahead” – whereas other organizations were recently forced to slow down, Child Creativity Lab sped up to do more. Like steam, CCL pivoted and transformed, expanding its virtual learning options as well as meeting the increased demand for robot kits.

Child Creativity Lab announces free family event and virtual benefit

Child Creativity Lab invites the community to join in for a fun family event the evening of Thursday, Nov 12 from 6 - 6:30 p.m. All guests who register by November 6 will receive a free robot making kit as well as a coupon for a free pizza, compliments of Pizza Hut. In addition to hands-on learning and delicious food, all can learn more about CCL with an insider tour.

FUSCOE Celebrates its 25th Anniversary with 25 Acts of Giving

November 12, 2018

“Employee participation in Fuscoe’s 25 Acts of Giving campaign exceeded expectations. Our Fuscoe team members are not only top performing professionals, they are also generous and compassionate individuals who strongly believe in giving back to our communities.”

John Olivier, President

Blizzard Employees Mentor Local Youth

July 19, 2018

After completing the program, students were invited to ‘Blizzard Day’ at our Irvine campus to participate in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education activities with their Blizzard mentors. With help from our friends Child Creativity Lab, we challenged students to use their creativity and imagination to build their own unique game character using upcycled materials.

Robots Invade Olive Crest!

June 6, 2018

In mid May, Olive Crest in Orange County was invaded by robots! The awe-inspiring metallic creatures, designed by university students working with the Child Creativity Lab, were built from repurposed materials and donated to Olive Crest.

Here are more than 140 ways you can volunteer in Orange County this holiday season

November 10, 2017

Champions for Creativity Gala and Awards Volunteers: Support a great cause by being part of a fantastic night. We’re seeking helpful volunteers who are eager to help out at our Child Creativity Lab Champions for Creativity Gala and Awards!

Trojans Go The Extra Yard

September 18, 2017

Last week, USC's Trojan Outreach program partnered with the College Football Playoff's Extra Yard For Teachers campaign to surprise a local teacher with a $10,000 check.
USC hosted Kenneth Billups -- a fifth grade teacher from Windsor Hills Mathematics/Science/Aerospace Magnet School -- and 30 of his students for a Sports & STEM workshop. The Child Creativity Lab taught the elementary schoolers how to make football-themed robot figures out of recycled materials at USC's John McKay Center.

10 Creativity-Boosting Kids Organizations

July 2017

As we’ve explored this month, creativity is about more than making art and expressing yourself. Creativity has true value, and the ability to think creatively has a lifelong impact on your success.

Thank you to our PTA for Sponsering “THE CHILD CREATIVITY LAB”

February 17, 2017

The Child Creativity Lab, an independent non-profit organization, is making a needed impact in the education world, promoting principles that every child from any background should have access to. Children love playing and through playing can learn to create art. The Child Creativity Lab allows children to play with recyclable materials and learn how to create art and more with simple products.

Turning trash into classroom treasure–a new way for businesses to help our schools

September, 2016

A new tax-deductible way for businesses to help Orange County Students by donating unneeded office supplies.

Looking for a summer brain stretch?

June 29, 2016

Peter Chang has some advice for anyone who visits the Child Creativity Lab in Santa Ana:

Creativity is like a muscle, and it needs to be exercised.

Corks Spark Creativity!

March 25, 2015

We've got some fun news to share and it'll make you pretty stoked to drink wine at our bar! Every wine cork we've got, we've been donating to Peter with Child Creativity Lab.

Imagination Celebration reaches 30th year

April 3, 2015

Imagination Celebration, a six-week festival that allows families to enjoy the arts, discover their creativity and celebrate student achievements with events and activities, is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Laguna kids get first taste of creative lab

March 6, 2014

Children at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach took recycling to a new level Monday afternoon. Using everyday items made of plastic, such as bottle caps and laundry detergent container tops, kids created their own robots, or “plastikobots,” during the Child Creativity Lab’s kickoff workshop.