Program 01
Folding with seniors
Biweekly, relaxing, social workshops at Ivy Park in Fullerton and a senior living community in Yorba Linda. We bring all materials and adapt every project to residents’ comfort levels.
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Ivy Park Senior Living · Fullerton, CA
A student-led nonprofit
Folding together across generations
We bring free, hands-on origami workshops to senior communities, run by high school volunteers across Orange County.
Join a workshopRecognized student club by OCSEF
501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorship through Hack Club
5 high school chapters in Orange County
We use origami to bring people together, one fold at a time
Simply Origami brings people together across the community, with a special focus on senior communities. Folding side by side opens the door to conversation and shared experience between people of different ages and backgrounds.
We see origami as a connective medium. It helps reduce isolation, strengthens relationships, and builds patience, focus, fine motor skills, and creativity along the way.
Mountain foldValley fold
Crease pattern of the traditional crane, the first model in every new workshop.
Why origami?
Origami turns a plain square of paper into something remarkable. It takes time and attention to detail, which is exactly why it is such good practice for the hands and mind, at any age.
Fine motor skills
Precise folds give hands steady, gentle exercise, paced for every ability level.
Patience
Every model is a sequence. Slowing down to follow it is part of the reward.
Problem solving
Turning a flat square into a crane takes reasoning, memory, and persistence.
Spatial reasoning
Seeing a 3D form inside 2D paper keeps the mind active and engaged.
Our goal is to bring students in every school across Orange County and beyond into service
We started with one student and one senior home. Today, chapters at five high schools lead workshops in their own neighborhoods, and we're ready to help the next school start its own.
Start a chapter
Program 02
Folding with communities
Free fold-alongs at public events like Walk4ALZ at Angel Stadium, YMCA Healthy Kids Day, and Maker Faire OC, where families take their creations home.
See recent eventsOur impact since October 2025
500+orange cranes folded for Kadoma, Japan
~2,500attendees reached at Walk4ALZ
6community partners
5high school chapters
98free video tutorials
Featured project · Yumetomo crane exchange
From California to Kadoma
Students and older adults across Orange County folded more than 500 orange cranes for a dementia-awareness event in Kadoma, Japan. We chose orange because it is the color of dementia awareness in Japan. Yumetomo means “dream friend.”
500+Orange cranes
20+Seniors
15+Students
2Countries
Folded with Ivy Park at Fullerton, Orange County School of the Arts, Sunny Hills High School, and Valencia High School.
Outreach journal
Every workshop and event since our first crane lesson, newest first.
Paper penguins
Ivy Park Fullerton
Another great opportunity to teach fun origami models.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day
Fullerton YMCA
The Orange County YMCA invited us to host a booth this year. We’re grateful for the opportunity and look forward to future collaborations.
Hopping frogs
Ivy Park Fullerton
A simple yet rewarding fold. They jump surprisingly far and make great fidget toys.
First visit to Yorba Linda
Senior Living Community, Yorba Linda
Our Yorba Linda High School chapter folded birds with residents, and got ice cream as a treat.
Walk4ALZ at Angel Stadium
Alzheimer’s Orange County
A booth at the annual walk that brings about 2,500 people together to raise awareness and funds for those affected by Alzheimer’s.
Turtles
Ivy Park Fullerton
Residents folded origami turtles.
Hearts with bows
Ivy Park Fullerton
Valentine’s hearts with bows. The tutorial is in our video library.
Foxes in every color
Ivy Park Fullerton
Our first event after launching the club at OCSA, with the goal of bringing students across Orange County into volunteer service.
Koi fish for the new year
Ivy Park Fullerton
Koi stand for good fortune, purity, and perseverance. Every fold came out a little different, and that variety was the charm.
Gold snowflakes
Ivy Park Fullerton
Snowflakes folded from special gold tissue-foil paper. Not an easy feat, but worth the detail.
Christmas tree stars
Ivy Park Fullerton
Origami stars to crown a holiday tree.
Butterflies and roses
Ivy Park Fullerton
Our third group lesson: 10 butterflies in an hour, then miniature roses to pair with them.
Cranes and lotuses
Ivy Park Fullerton
A lake ecosystem in paper, from cranes to lotus flowers.
Where it began: paper cranes
Ivy Park Fullerton
An hour-long lesson on the paper crane launched our senior outreach program.
OrigamiUSA NYC Convention
New York City
Exhibiting work each July and connecting with folders and designers from around the world.
Amici Music Festival
Pepperdine University
Teaching origami to elementary and middle school musicians, and learning patience along the way.
Holiday ornaments for CHOC
CHOC Children’s Hospital
More than 50 origami ornaments and reindeer to cheer up kids spending Christmas in the hospital.
Oversized paper folding
OrigamiUSA
Folders working together on one cohesive model from a massive square sheet.
Our partners
Senior communities, health nonprofits, and community organizations we fold with.
Since 07/2026
Yumetomo Project
A globally recognized arts-and-dementia organization in Kadoma, Japan. Our first project together sent 500+ cranes across the Pacific.
Visit website →
Since 05/2026
Maker Faire OC
A family-friendly showcase of invention and creativity. We hold a booth where origami is exhibited and taught.
Visit website →
Since 03/2026
YMCA Fullerton
We share origami with younger folders at events like Healthy Kids Day.
Visit website →
Since 01/2026
Alzheimer’s Orange County
An origami booth at the annual Walk4ALZ, with quick fold-alongs that spotlight Alzheimer’s awareness.
Visit website →
Since 12/2025
Senior Living Community, Yorba Linda
Regular sessions that encourage creativity, conversation, and gentle cognitive engagement.
Visit website →
Since 09/2025
Ivy Park Fullerton
Biweekly hands-on workshops for residents, tailored to different ability levels, with all materials provided.
Visit website →
Start folding today
Every model we teach has a free video you can follow at home, from a jumping frog to a winged Pegasus. Our YouTube library has been growing since 2022.
64Beginner
Crane, fox, heart, masu box
21Intermediate
Tulip, cherry blossom, whale
8Advanced
Violin, Pegasus, dragon
5Conventions
OrigamiUSA NYC highlights
Video tutorials
Simply Origami started as a YouTube channel in 2022. Pick a playlist, choose a model, and fold along at your own pace.
Beginner64 videos
One square of paper, one story at a time
Simply Origami was founded by Joseph Baek, a student at Orange County School of the Arts and a longtime folder whose work has been exhibited at the OrigamiUSA convention in New York. What started as a YouTube channel turned into something bigger once he began teaching.
At Ivy Park he saw residents who struggle with motor function and memory rebuild skills through steady practice. That became the mission: put students and seniors at the same table, and let the paper do the rest.
2022Simply Origami YouTube channel launches
Dec 202450+ origami ornaments for kids at CHOC Children’s Hospital
Oct 2025First senior workshop at Ivy Park Fullerton
Jan 2026Club launches at OCSA; chapters follow at Yorba Linda, Valencia, Sunny Hills, and Troy High Schools
2026500+ cranes sent to Kadoma, Japan with the Yumetomo Project
Led by students
OCSA
Founding chapter
- Joseph BaekPresident
- Ares ZouVice President
- Chloe BaekSecretary
- Julius ChungTreasurer
- Ethan YoTreasurer
Yorba Linda HS
Chapter
- Aiden NguyenVice President, Simply Origami · Chapter President
Valencia HS
Chapter
- Faith JungChapter President
- Maxwell LiuCo-Secretary, Simply Origami
Sunny Hills HS
Chapter
- Ethan LeeChapter Lead
Troy HS
Chapter
- SoahnChapter Lead
Get involved
There’s a seat for you at the table
Students
Volunteer
Join one of our five chapters and lead workshops. No folding experience needed.
Sign up → Senior communitiesHost a workshop
We bring the paper, the instructors, and projects matched to your residents.
Request a visit → SchoolsStart a chapter
Bring Simply Origami to your campus. We’ll help you launch.
Get started → EveryoneDonate
Your gift buys paper and supplies for free workshops.add donate link
Give now →Get in touch
Questions, feedback, or a workshop request? Email us directly or send a note with the form.
Or message us on Instagram:
@simplyorigami_