Krupp/Music & Youth "Youth Leader Program"Boston, MA January 2012
This past fall, Music & Youth Initiative, thanks to a
matching grant from the Krupp Family Foundation,
was able to provide funding to hire eight youth leaders
to work in the Clubhouses for 14 weeks! This unique
opportunity gives youth role models the chance work
part time in the Clubhouse providing additional staffing
as well as a unique teenage perspective into the
Clubhouse's daily activities.
The Youth Leaders met in September at an orientation
meeting to discuss goals and ideas, then immediately
went to work at their Clubhouse teaching lessons,
mentoring new members, and planning special events.
This being a first job for many of the teens, the Youth Leader program provided many professional development opportunities by having each youth leader meet with their Clubhouse director for one-on-one job training sessions as well as job performance critiques, and planning.
In December the Youth Leaders met again to share their experiences and discuss their success and challenges as they prepare for the winter Youth Leader Program.
Here are some highlights of their experiences:
Lawrence Music Clubhouse Youth Leader:
"I have also been able to bring smiles to the faces of others through music and that is what has made me the happiest through the past couple of months."
Roxbury Music Clubhouse Youth Leader:
"Before, I would go to school and to the boys and girls club, and try to completely avoid the younger kids outside my age-group. And now, I look at them as a capsule of undiscovered, raw talent waiting to be focused."
Dorchester Music Clubhouse Youth Leader:
"I know I have kept 20 - 30 kids off the streets and not in some gang from down the street."
Being regular participants themselves just months ago, it was amazing to see their transformation as well as their dedication and insight into their Clubhouse!
The Youth Leaders return for the Winter/Spring and then again in the Fall of 2012 to continue their work and dig into bigger projects like the 2012 Spring Showcase, Music & Youth Method books and more! We look forward to working with this amazing group of upcoming leaders to help make our program even more successful!
About the Krupp Family Foundation: kruppfamilyfoundation.org
We are honored to being working with The Krupp Family Foundation to provide the opportunity for each Music or Studio Clubhouse with a Youth Leader through 2012!
