Every paid improv to impact workshop funds 10 free, research-backed classes for San Diegans who are unsheltered or housing-insecure, immigrants, refugees, or members of other historically underserved communities, offering applied improv to help strengthen mental and physical health.
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- San Diego County businesses, government organizations, nonprofits, and higher education institutions can now do good while giving their team dynamic professional development through improv to impact, a corporate training program launched today by San Diego nonprofit it's improv. Each improv to impact workshops uses applied improvisation to teach valuable skills to workers that help them navigate uncertainty in a rapidly changing environment. In addition to helping their teams communicate better internally, adapt to change, and creatively problem-solve, every paid improv to impact workshop funds 10 free improv classes for San Diegans experiencing homelessness and other hardships to help them build joy and resilience–an approach backed by years of scientific research.
"We know that human beings thrive on connection, and that is really what learning improv provides for everyone, regardless of how 'funny' or outgoing they might think they are," said Jean Diedrich, COO and co-founder of it's improv." That's what the research has proven many times over: play, which improv allows us to do in a safe, uplifting space, helps our brains create stronger connections with others, feel braver, trust more, and think more creatively about our problems. With improv to impact, businesses can now provide corporate training for their employees while giving the gift of free improv, and all the science-backed benefits it provides to their community. It's like the Tom's Shoes model, but focused on joy."
Dozens of research studies have proven the mental, physical, and cognitive health benefits of improv-based play for all individuals, but particularly those experiencing homelessness, of lower socioeconomic status, and racial and ethnic minorities. Ironically, those groups that would benefit the most are the least likely to be able to have the opportunity to experience it.
"Improv isn't just people getting onstage at a comedy club and making things up to make an audience laugh," said it's improv Executive Director and co-founder Skyler Lee. "Improv began as a community-based theater exercise to help people connect to each other and communicate more effectively. We started it's improv because this is something our world desperately needs, and we wanted to bring the joy of improv back to our communities. improv to impact not only helps us teach workers some valuable communication and problem-solving skills in a low-stakes, fun environment, but also helps fund our mission of bringing the joy of improv to our neighbors who otherwise couldn't afford classes."
improv to impact by it's improv offers a variety of corporate training workshops for clients, and has already piloted successful programs for San Diego County organizations in the government, healthcare, higher education, and nonprofit sectors, including MiraCosta College and San Diego State University. Two-hour workshops start at $1,250 for eight people, giving businesses an affordable way to provide valuable professional development training to their workers. Because every workshop funds 10 free community classes through it's improv, choosing improv to impact for corporate training amplifies your company's positive impact in the San Diego community far beyond a simple charitable donation.
improv to impact offerings currently include Adaptive Leadership & Agility Through Change, Building High Trust Teams, Communication Under Pressure, and Innovation & Creative Problem Solving. improv to impact also offers bespoke workshops focused on addressing a company's unique challenges, whether they're focused on strengthening leadership, improving collaboration, supporting organizational change, or addressing a specific team dynamic.
The free classes for vulnerable communities funded by improv to impact have already had a significant impact through partnerships with local San Diego service providers.
- Teenagers experiencing or at risk of homelessness have forged stronger connections and strengthened their communication skills through it's improv classes at the Youth Assistance Coalition.
- Adults experiencing homelessness have reported improved mental health and greater trust in one another after it's improv classes for Voices of Our City Choir.
- Immigrant, refugee and international communities have reported youth are better able to express opinions and agency, as well as stronger connections with peers and students as a result of it's improv classes through San Diego Refugee Tutoring.
To learn more about improv to impact and schedule a free consultation to design a workshop for your organization, please visit: https://www.itsimprov.org/i2i
To learn more about the free community classes funded by improv to impact, watch the it's improv impact video.
About it's improv
it's improv brings applied improvisational training, play and education to socially and economically underserved communities and their supporting organizations. Working together with community centers, volunteers and support from the generosity of donors, we provide culturally informed classes to the people who need it most. Professional development events booked with our improv to impact(i2i) program help fund free classes for our vulnerable communities. Improv to impact training events have participants engage in practical, interactive exercises that explore and develop the critical tools that teams need to navigate constant uncertainty, solve novel problems, learn quickly, develop interpersonal adaptability and increase emotional resilience. To learn more, please visit www.itsimprov.org
Media Contact
Sarah Flocken, it's improv, 1 2406300316, [email protected], https://www.itsimprov.org/
SOURCE it's improv
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