Kohl Crecelius and his high school friends, Travis Hartanov and Stewart Ramsey, shared a love for the simplicity of crocheting. After traveling through several developing countries, an idea was born for them: to teach people in developing countries how to crochet as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty.

They realized that with hook and yarn people could make amazing products. Being paid a fair wage to do so would, for the first time, allow these people to provide for their families and begin planning for the future. By teaching them to crochet, Crecelius and his friends would be empowering them to rise above poverty.

In 2007, they officially started Krochet Kids International. Their vision was to create sustainable economic development programs that support holistic growth of individuals and communities within developing nations and to inspire the knowledge of a generation about their ability to bring change to a world that is in need. Today, they have two major projects, one in Uganda which has helped over 122 women crochet their way out of poverty, and a second in Peru. To learn more about this inspirational non-profit's model, click here.

This Winter 2012, The CREO Institute team is excited to continue our series of workshops co-led by some of our incredible colleagues and friends.

On February 25-26, 2012, we will be joined by Kathy Altieri, Production Designer at DreamWorks Animation, SKG in beautiful Temescal Canyon in Pacific Palisades, California. Kathy has spent the last 25 years working within the animation industry at Disney Animation and now at DreamWorks. Together with Wanda Chaves, Kathy will share her insights about the creativity within each of us and introduce you to exercises that will help you work through your barriers and expand your creativity.

Two inspirational stories about finding creativity in the least expected places:

Aimee Mullins and Her Twelve Pairs of Legs:
Click here to watch!

Embracing Otherness, Embracing Myself:
Click here to watch!