recognitions

42nd Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards

Oscar, Yolanda & Adrian Cisneros (El Paso): 2026 Volunteer Family of the Year Award
After losing their young son Alex to cancer, the Cisneros family transformed their grief into service. Inspired by the joy Alex found in Creative Kids’ hospital art program, Yolanda, Oscar, and Adrian started volunteering weekly with Project RAP, supporting children affected by trauma in El Paso. For the last 18 years, through patient guidance and creative expression, they have helped young people process fear, rebuild confidence, and experience moments of healing. Their presence offers comfort drawn from lived experience, and every child they support carries forward Alex’s spirit. The family’s compassion has become a powerful source of hope.

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Change Maker Award

Creative Kids Executive Director and Co-Founder - Andrea Gates-Ingle was honored as a 2026 Progress 321 ChangeMaker for spending three decades leading our nationally recognized creative youth development program and championing the power of the arts.

She has dedicated her career to building a sanctuary for youth across the El Paso and Southern New Mexico region. Under her leadership, Creative Kids provides vital creative healing for pediatric oncology patients, under-resourced and incarcerated youth, as well as families navigating the aftermath of the August 3rd tragedy.

Creative Kids Garners National Attention

First Lady Michelle Obama presented Creative Kids with the President’s Committee National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, the nation’s highest honor for out-of-school arts and humanities programming. The award recognized Project AIM (Arts in Medicine), a specialized visual arts program serving pediatric oncology patients at Providence Children’s Hospital.

Held in the prestigious East Room of the White House, the ceremony featured opening remarks from Danayshiya Pritchard, a participant in the Creative Kids AIM program.