Provide 50 Instruments for Under-Served Children

Due to the ripple effects of COVID-19, Can’d Aid volunteer centered programs are currently on hold. Once it is deemed safe and appropriate, we will get back to people powered do-goodery through adhering to all local health and safety guidelines.

The TUNES Program provides access to music and the arts in overlooked communities. Over the past decade, 80% of public schools have experienced budget cuts with music and arts programs taking the biggest hit. Learning to play an instrument and exposure to music education improves children’s mental health and overall academic performance. TUNES helps grow the next generation of musicians and music lovers and supports existing artists in various stages of their careers. Our unique model enlists the help of our nationally touring Tunes Ambassadors and pairs them with low-income school music programs across the country. By working directly with the individual schools, teachers identify a wish list of items and Can'd Aid purchases new instruments based on exactly what is needed. Tunes Ambassadors visit schools on tour: providing hands-on music workshops, live performances and the opportunity for children to engage one-on-one with professional musicians.

Tunes Ambassadors also help raise funds and awareness for our program and are eligible to receive emerging artist grants. These grants are intended to help musicians progress their careers – i.e. purchase in-ear monitor systems, release their first vinyl, extend their tour, etc. Our roster of Tunes Ambassadors is evolving, and each relationship is customized based on the needs and interests of the artists. To date, over 2,300 new instruments have been donated and 100 workshops have been conducted.

In the meantime, an update on our COVID-19 Response
From the onset of COVID-19, we have focused on programming that is authentic to our mission, achievable given global restrictions, and impactful to those negatively affected by the pandemic. We’ve been busy providing canned drinking water to those in need though food banks and for residents of the Navajo Nation Over 250,000 cans of water have been distributed since March.

We also launched the People Powered Pen Pal Network which strives to connect isolated seniors with people from other generations through old-fashioned letter writing.

In an effort to adhere to social distancing guidelines, Can’d Aid just rolled out Do-Goodery at your Doorstep - an individualized pilot program that allows folks to assemble art kits or build bikes and skateboards in the safety of their own homes. The finished items will then be donated to local children in the foster care system. Individuals and small groups can gather on ZOOM and build bikes or skateboards together, allowing engagement and camaraderie in the age of COVID.

As states begin to open up, Can’d Aid is working to revamp its onsite programs to adhere to all local health and safety guidelines. These modified volunteer events (river cleanups, bike builds, etc.) will have staggered check-in times, workstations 8 ft. apart, face masks for all attendees and ongoing sanitation efforts.

About Can’d Aid

Founded in 2013, Can’d Aid (501 c 3, EIN, 46-3692906) spreads people powered do-goodery through Tunes, Treads & Trails, Towns and Love Yur Mama efforts nationwide. Our core programs develop healthy and whole humans capable and inspired to nurture a healthy and whole planet.

Thank you for your understanding and know we will be back to providing access to music and arts in overlooked communities through the Tunes Program as quickly as we can.