Partnerships Empowering Youth Through Music Mentorship
As Summer heats up, so does Partnerships for Children's music mentoring program, Kids in a New Groove! KING provides Central Texas youth involved with the child welfare system with one-on-one mentoring through free weekly, private music lessons.
KING music lessons offer stability, encouragement, and a creative outlet to the youth we serve during a crucial time in their lives. Learning to play an instrument improves language and problem-solving skills, while the discipline of regular practice enhances focus and perseverance. Combined with the guidance and support of a dedicated mentor, these music lessons can be transformative.
Exciting Events and Updates
Last month in May, we celebrated the achievements of our KING participants with a private Spring 2024 Recital. It was a heartwarming event where many of our youth showcased their musical skills, performing in front of their friends, family, and caregivers. Seeing their hard work and dedication come to life on stage was incredible!
Kicking off June, we held our first ever "Girls in a Groove" Songwriting Workshop. Our young talents teamed up with their mentors and worked alongside Austin guest artists Mélat, Monica Valli, and Sisi Berry to hone their songwriting abilities. A special thank you goes out to Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) for providing a wonderful space. The songs that came out of this event were moving reflections of the young talents of KING. We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this workshop an unforgettable experience for the youth involved.
Looking ahead, I'm thrilled to share that we're hosting a 2024 KING Summer Camp! This 4-day music workshop series will feature special guest instructors from Diversity Band, who will lead KING youth in exploring world music through drumming classes. This camp promises to be a fun and enriching experience! We'll be fostering teamwork, and expanding perspectives on different cultures in a creative, engaging environment.
How You Can Help
Donate: Your support in donating new and used instruments and supplies directly to KING makes a significant impact on the lives of youth in the program. Whether it's guitars, keyboards, drum sets, or other musical essentials, your contributions ensure that KING mentees have access to the quality tools they need to succeed! You can browse our Amazon Wishlist to purchase supplies and instruments that directly support our program, or make a monetary donation.
Mentor: Currently, we have over 50 actively matched youth in the KING program, each benefiting from the dedication and expertise of our volunteer mentors. These music mentors generously give their time and talents to support the youth in our program. They make a significant impact on their lives and our community. Our mentors come from diverse backgrounds - while some are working professional musicians, most are passionate hobbyists sharing their knowledge, skills, and love of music with their mentees. Their role goes far beyond teaching music - they provide a reliable and inspiring presence that helps our youth thrive.
Spread the Word: Share our program with your friends, family, and social networks! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with future events open to the public. Raising awareness about the importance of music and mentorship can inspire others to support our mission.
For more information about KING and how you can get involved, visit our webpage or contact me, KING Program Manager, Dave Bishea, at dave@partnershipsforchildren.org.
Together, we can create a brighter future through the power of music and mentorship.