MVM MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS

We will be launching our mentorship program early next year. This program is designed to provide youth in our programs who show a strong desire to learn music beyond a basic level with individual style lessons, community outings, and long term relationships centered around music and community.

The program is a response to watching youth loose their entire support structure (home, school, therapist, neighbors, etc...) when they move across county lines, loose their current insurance plan, or a foster placement is dropped due to unforeseen circumstances. The loss of these supports is not only difficult and painful in the short term, it can be devastating in the long run, crippling the development of long term relationships and reinforcing feelings of isolation.

Our Follow Up/Mentorship Program is based on over a decade of research that finds that "resilient youth - those who successfully transition from risk-filled backgrounds to the adult world of work and good citizenship - are consistently distinguished by the presence of a caring adult in their lives." (Strengthening Mentoring Opportunities for At-Risk Youth) By focussing primarily on music, it provides youth who are often forced to switch schools several times before graduating with an immediate way to positively connect with their peers through music rather than through delinquency.

In order to create this program we are looking for a donation of community space one night a week for 3 hours. Please contact us if you have or know of a space that may be available to us.