This project will give teens in crisis new hope through creativity. Students in transition from juvenile hall to school respond positively learning to make, share and perform music. The program serves as an on-ramp for developing literacy, communication and social skills. With approximately 70% of prisoners in California functionally illiterate and the high school dropout rate soaring, this project can improve youth offender's success rate in moving from incarceration to graduation and work.
Criminal activity often results from a poor sense of self, low literacy and problem solving skills and a lack of opportunity, hope and purpose. By supporting this effort, you can direct music's expressive and uplifting powers into a force for improving all of those capacities. Despite economic deprivation, emotional instability, brutality, trauma and academic failure, students will to discover their passion, potential and determination to succeed as they care and work to become music makers.
This project will supply weekly small group musical class with songwriting for literacy and guitars/ukuleles in Juvenile Court and Community School classrooms. Students will learn to compose, write and read lyrics that express their ideas and feelings. Relating to peers through meaningful collaboration will help them enjoy school, form healthier friendships and develop skills to last a lifetime. Teaching artists will support the process weekly with responsive instruction and musical instruments.
This work instills literacy and musical skills that help students make a better place for themselves in society while imparting a life-long love of learning and music making. We have already seen how making music with GITC helps keep these students in school and out of trouble that can land them back in juvenile hall. With your support, they will graduate, using their improved abilities to find employment while growing artistically and personally.
