As part of its longstanding CSR commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Disney Worldwide Outreach brought a healthy dose of its show biz razzle-
dazzle to the Watts section of Los Angeles. A new Creativity Center, designed by Disney Imagineers, opened on April 21 at the Roy W. Roberts, II - Watts/Willowbrook Boys &
Girls Club, with no less a personality than Mickey Mouse as master of ceremonies.
"Disney has a wonderful association with Boys & Girls Clubs nationally, as well as the Watts/Willowbrook Club here locally, and this effort was a natural progression of our
relationship," explains Maria Gladowski, director of communications at Disney Worldwide Outreach. "As their partner, we asked how we could best serve their interests and we were
told by the club's executive director, Les Jones, that they needed a place where children could express themselves freely and artistically. Disney Imagineers, working alongside
the club's staff, re-designed the club's stark, bare-bones art room into a colorful, fully-stocked Creativity Center that will give children various outlets of self-
expression."
Gladowski also notes the CSR input in this neighborhood was particularly welcomed. "The area surrounding the Watts/Willowbrook club is not filled with businesses and the club
has to go outside of its immediate community for financial support, which as you can imagine can be tough," she says. "Naturally, when a corporation decides to stand behind an
entity like this, it's very meaningful and it helps them garner even more support."
The Creativity Center emphasizes a focus on arts, and the Disney Imagineers mixed practicality with style in modeling the space with new sound insulation, efficient storage,
tackable wall surfaces, window treatments for light customization and colorful, refurbished shop tables. And to kick off the new wave of creative expression, an array of art
supplies were also donated.
"The art teacher (at this club) was herself a Club Kid and has been a part of the Watts/Willowbrook club for 20 years," adds Gladowski. "When she heard that we were going to
design a room to her specifications, it brought her to tears."
Contact: Maria Gladowski, [email protected].