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Orange County’s First Depot for Creative Reuse opens on September 14!

Orange County's First "Depot for Creative Reuse" opens on September 14!

Over the last year, I have had the privileged of a watching a new children’s creativity center, The Child Creativity Lab, in Orange County being formed.   The Child Creativity Lab offers STEM-based educational programs that focus on creativity-enhancing stimulation and inspiration for pre-Kindergarten through 8th graders.

Well, on Monday, September 14, the Child Creativity Lab will open the doors to its Depot for Creative Reuse, a reusable materials resource for teachers, afterschool programs, community organizations, homeschoolers, artists and families.

Located at 1815 E. Wilshire Avenue, Suite 906 in Santa Ana, California, the non-profit organization’s Depot for Creative Reuse will be filled with reclaimed and reusable materials procured from businesses and individuals in and around Orange County – materials that would otherwise fill our precious landfills.

Materials include:

  • unique and clean manufacturing scraps
  • a variety of colorful fabrics and textiles
  • paper goods
  • decorations
  • coffee bean burlap sacks
  • school supplies
  • picture frame moldings
  • arts and craft supplies
  • home décor
  • DIY needs

Because of the organization’s focus on hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, the Depot for Creative Reuse will also provide pre-packaged STEM-Based Challenge Kits that support the continued engagement and enrichment of STEM fields in our youth.

The Child Creativity Lab opens the Depot for Creative Reuse, a reusable materials resource for teachers, community organizations, artists and families.

Materials Scholarships supported by grants and fundraising contributions will allow the Child Creativity Lab to distribute these materials free of charge to educators, afterschool providers, and other community programs serving underprivileged children.   Materials can also be accessed through the Depot for Creative Reuse’s membership program.

The beauty in a local resource such as the Depot for Creative Reuse is that it will undoubtedly serve as a multifaceted tool for teachers, for families and for the community.  While visitors will utilize the ‘loose parts’ that are meant to develop creativity and critical thinking skills, an equally compelling side benefit is that these materials that would otherwise be discarded will be given a new life.

The Depot for Creative Reuses store hours are Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Friday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm and Saturday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.

To learn more about the Depot for Creative Reuse, please visit http://childcreativitylab.org/.

Happy Field Tripping!

Jilleen

Disclosure: This post is for informational purposes only.  All points of view and opinions are my own.

Dr. Anila Bhagavatula

Tuesday 5th of January 2016

As a professor at CSULB I also run MESSAGE (Mathematics Engineering Science Studies Accelerate Girls' Empowerment). It is a Science club for girls in grades 3-7. If we wanted to schedule a field trip to your facility, would we simply come and pay individual ticket prices, or would we able to get a tour or some other information? Thank you.

Jilleen

Tuesday 5th of January 2016

Hi Dr. Bhagavatula! Thank you for your comment. I would recommend that you call Child Creativity Lab directly and ask for the owner named Peter. He can answer all your questions and set up a time for your field trip. Good luck! - Jilleen