I facilitated a 30-minute virtual workshop for Stepping Forward LA’s paid internship program, which serves young adults ages 18 to 27 who have experienced foster care. Many participants are single parents or navigating housing instability while balancing work and school. For most, this internship is their first formal job. They are learning workplace skills such as technology use, time management, and communication. Because many operate in survival mode, creative activities can initially feel intimidating or overwhelming. My goal for this workshop session was to make creativity approachable and demonstrate how it can be used as a tool for stress relief, emotional expression, and self-confidence.

I began by welcoming the group and sharing my background as a Creative Program Manager and a personal story about my own experience as a foster youth. I explained that creativity isn’t limited to artists; it’s a tool anyone can use when feeling stuck or overwhelmed, and described how creative practices helped me rebuild confidence and reconnect with my sense of identity. This story helped participants see how we can also relate to one another.

I emphasized that “you don’t need to be good at art” to be creative. Using language that resonated with Gen Z participants, I kept the tone conversational rather than instructional and avoided formal art terminology like “abstract art” to make the discussion more accessible.

Young adults were invited to share creative outlets they already use. Responses included music, writing, crocheting, and painting portraits. This activity helped highlight that creativity already exists in their lives, often in small, meaningful ways.

I introduced the idea of creating a “Creative Kit,” similar to a first aid kit, but for emotional and creative well-being. Participants brainstormed items they would include to help them re-center during stressful moments. Common responses included magazines, affirmations, and painting. Their engagement was high, and the chat filled quickly with ideas that reflected both self-awareness and individuality.

The session concluded with a seven-minute creative exercise designed to inspire self-reflection and emotional release. Participants could either draw or I asked to respond to prompts such as:

Draw a place where you feel safe or free.
Sketch a symbol of something you’re proud of.
Draw your younger self’s favorite thing.
Doodle a goal or hope for the future.
Write a poem beginning with “I am becoming…”
Write a hopeful poem starting with “Tomorrow, I will…”

Participants were fully engaged, focused, and expressive. One shared a moving “I Am” affirmation poem; others posted drawings of pets, nature, and symbols of hope.

I ended the workshop by thanking everyone for their participation and reinforcing the message that creativity is self-care. Even small acts of creative expression can help reduce stress, build confidence, and create space for healing and personal growth.