Meet Kristen DeBenedetto | Executive Director and founder of Include Everyone Project SCV

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristen DeBenedetto and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristen, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
We started Include Everyone Project SCV based on the need in our community. One day we were having coffee and the subject of theater camp came up. Rodney, one of the founders, was expressing his frustration that his son with Prader Willi Syndrome was not able to complete a local theater camp because they did not have the ability to accommodate his specific needs. As an Autism Movement Therapy provider and a Dance Educator and him being a Music Therapist, I suggested that if there isn’t a camp out there for children with additional needs then let’s make our own and be able to provide them with the support they need to be successful. Our third piece of the puzzle literally walked into the same coffee shop that very morning and the project was born. We hosted out first workshop a month later and our first full week camp a year later.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
We have the privilege to help our students shine! It is our firm belief that the arts are vital to the success and well being of all humans and that children with disabilities need just as much access to the arts as everyone else. Our valley has wonderful services for those children but very limited performing arts programs. We created a safe space for our students to make peer connections, learn social skills, express them selves and develop a stronger sense of self esteem. We give them support and the tools to participate in performances and go on field trips to see entertainers and shows that they might not get otherwise due to sensory needs or social expectations. We are always looking for community support and new families to join our organization so check us out at www.iepscv.org to learn how!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Northern Los Angles has so many great spots it’s hard to pick just one or two. The great outdoors is a no brainer, Castaic Lake is full of fun outdoor activities. In Santa Clarita we have lots of great local restaurants and city events on the revamped Main St in Newhall. Concerts in the Park is a win during the summer and Senses Block Parties during the year are a blast ! Light Up Main is our organization’s favorite event of the year as our Artists perform for the community and we host the sensory friendly Chill Zone for the city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Remo Music Center! Mike DeMenno and the executive team at Remo have been sponsors and supporters of our project from the very beginning! From donations of equipment ( the best drums and percussive instruments on the market ) to financial support of our annual camp and Gala. With out their belief in our mission and support we could not have started this endeavor.

Website: https://www.iepscv.org

Instagram: @iepscv

Facebook: @IncludeEveryone Project SCV

Youtube: @iepscv3779