We have the creativity, courage, and wisdom to transform our relationship with fear and worry. 

Let’s change the story of anxiety

What if, instead of seeing our fears and worries as a sign of weakness, we connected with the powers and gifts of our anxious minds? What if, through practice, this new way of thinking of ourselves began to take hold so that it became our new truth, our new habit, to think of ourselves as imaginative, empathic, wise and courageous? We have seen what happens when young people move away from seeing themselves as broken toward a new understanding of themselves that celebrates and engages the gifts of their minds, and it is powerful.

about our program

We design creative experiences that inspire a more creative and empowered relationship with fear and worry. All of our projects, videos, workshop guides and other resources are free to all — youth, parents, counselors, teachers, other youth-supporting organizations — and support social-emotional learning, as well as many National Core Arts and Learning Standards. We also partner with schools and other organizations to facilitate small-group workshops on a fee or scholarship basis. 

we’d love to hear from you

Would you like our help organizing a workshop or club? We are always happy to answer questions and strategize plans — just send us a note!

Are you already using our resources? Have you adapted our projects in a way that could benefit others? Would you be willing to complete this short survey so we can learn and grow from your experiences? Thank you!

If you would like occasional updates from us, consider joining our mailing list. And if you’d like to help us support more young people, consider becoming an Anxiety Society member. You’ll receive a cool pin, a great feeling, and invitations to special events — plus our undying gratitude.

 

  • Create More, Fear Less is an empowering community and practical way for children to overcome their fears through creativity and courage.

    - Kevin Ashworth, Clinical Director, NW Anxiety Institute

  • In a time of social distancing, Create More Google Hangouts has given me and my students the opportunity to connect and share in a way that is meaningful for everyone.

    - Jennifer Gilbert, school counselor

  • I learned that there are many ways to not worry about your worries.

    - Fear Less student

  • My students realized that by putting their fears down on paper via various forms of expression, they can wield more control over their dark thoughts and as a consequence, they become less foreboding.

    - LeAnne Cox, school counselor

  • We support Create More, Fear Less because we believe this program offers a fresh & powerful way for kids to manage their anxiety.

    - Christina Volgyesi, VP of Marketing, Dr. Bronner’s

  • Create More, Fear Less is saving my life right now. It’s been a nice surprise resource at a time when I really needed it.

    - Anne Witt, speech pathologist, DaVinci Middle School, Grant High School, & Providence Hospital

Our vision in a (large) nutshell:

hello from our team!

Kathleen Lane, Founder/Program Director
Author & former Co-founder/Director of ART 180

Sara Guest, Development Director
Writer, Facilitator, Fundraising Consultant & former staff of Write Around Portland

Almond Jackson, 
Operations manager, musician, composer

Board:

Marna Stalcup, Chair 
Founder of The Right Brain Initiative and former Director of Arts Education for the Regional Arts & Culture Council

Phoebe Ebright, Vice Chair
Development Consultant

Claudia Valderrama, Treasurer
Global CFO, Wieden + Kennedy

Katy Mayo-Hudson, Secretary
Educational Consultant, Co-founder & former Director of Education & PD for Turnaround Arts 

Bethany Harvey
Middle school counselor, social worker, LCSW candidate and professional dancer

Chris Williams
Student Advocate, Manager,  Storyteller, Improviser, Producer, Active listener

Julie Mancini
Former Executive Director, College Possible

Marisha Childs
LEAP Managing Attorney, Clackamas Women’s Services 

Robyn Tenenbaum 
Principal of Rhapsody Productions, Co-creator of Live Wire Radio

Community advisors:

Amanda Zucker
Art Therapist, Counselor, Artist

Han Oh
Vice President of Marketing, Fully

Catherine Nyhan
Counselor, Educator, Therapist, Clinical Supervisor

Christina Volgyesi
Director of Marketing, Dr. Bronner’s

Courtenay Hameister
Writer, Editor, Author of anxiety-inspired essay collection Okay Fine Whatever

Cristianne Lane
Professional Development Director, Lee Pesky Learning Center

Erin O’Regan
Executive Director, Stumptown Improv Festival, Assistant Director, Art4Life 

Gary Hirsch
Founder of On Your Feet and Botjoy

Intisar Abioto
Writer, dancer, photographer, multi-disciplinary artist, creator of The Black Portlanders

Jackie Ivy Senior Director, Global Retail Design, Nike

Jelly Helm Creative Director, Studio Jelly

Jennifer Gilbert
School Counselor, Fear Less Ambassador

Kelsey Snook
OK You Program Committee Co-Chair, artist, designer and creator of shared experiences

Lisbeth Kobs
OK You Program Committee Co-Chair, Middle-school counselor, M.Ed. LSC 

Liz Neilson
Co-owner/Creative Director, The Beauty Shop brand & interactive design agency

Mia O’Connor-Smith
Artist, Dancer, Founder of Deep Underground, Workshop Facilitator

Nastashia Minto
Author, Facilitator, Occupational Therapist Assistant at traumatic brain injury facility

Thom Walters
Organizational Development Strategist


CREATE MORE, FEAR LESS is a program of the nonprofit OK You. If you believe in our mission, please consider coming along with us with a tax-deductible contribution. Friends make all the difference in how many young people we are able to reach with our empowering message and tools for taking on anxiety.

Thank you to our sponsors & supporters

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