Once upon a time…

This final grant of 2024 goes to Girls Rock C-U!  Girls Rock! Champaign-Urbana seeks to create a culture of positive self-esteem for girls, transgender, and gender non-conforming youth. Members learn how to start a band, write a song, record a track, and play a gig, Their mission is to is to empower all involved to use the tools of music education to foster self-esteem and confidence. Read more about their mission.

Grants like this ensure that no one will ever be turned away for lack of funds and to purchase needed music equipment and instruments. Check out the wonderful work Girls Rock! Champaign-Urbana is doing!

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This grant for Global Alliance for Africa, Therapeutic Arts Program (GAA) helps to provide spaces where children who are routinely stigmatized can gain a sense of belonging, and it supports children’s use of the arts for self-expression, which can foster a sense of agency, resilience, and increased confidence.

IMPACT: To date, GAA has trained over 40 African Artists to provide therapeutic arts in Kenya & Tanzania and reached over 4,500 vulnerable and at-risk children.

GAA operates in Kenya and Tanzania and have also provided training in the refugee settlements and camps in the West Nile Region of Uganda for displaced people from Sudan and Congo.

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This donation to Nuçi’s Space is in honor and memory of beloved musician, Jeff Austin. Today, on his birthday, I hope this grant will help other musicians connect to the mental health support services needed to thrive.

The mission of Nuçi’s Space is to prevent suicide, with a focus on supporting musicians. They maintain a safe space for musicians to seek support and guidance, provide access to professional care, and actively participates in treatment and education. Programs for teens are also available, with after school and summer music camps. Programs for teens are also available with after school and summer music camps.

Visit Nuçi’s Space to learn more about this essential nonprofit organization.

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The final grant of 2023 went to YWCA Labyrinth Made Goods. I met some of the women who are a part of this organization at DESTIHL Makers’ Market and learned about their mission of creating opportunities and empowering women who have experienced incarceration. Through this nonprofit,

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I love learning about amazing music and art therapy nonprofits when an organization connects to introduce themselves and request a grant. The Angel Band Project is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit that provides free music therapy workshops to survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. *** I am thrilled to provide this grant sponsorship that will fund new instruments such as guitars, drums, chimes, and Tibetan singing bowls to be used during music therapy sessions.

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Over the weekend, I attended an inspiring event to celebrate five years of Creative Healing Art Therapy, LLC (CHAT) and to launch and introduce the new nonprofit organization Creative Healing Expressive Art Center (CHEAC) in Bloomington, IL. Founder, Karli Johnson shared the following:

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Earlier this year, Music Therapy of the Rockies reached out to tell me about their organization and mission. I knew right away it was a great fit for a Twice Upon a String grant, and today I was able to follow through and support their important cause of providing music therapy for those who have experienced trauma, including veterans and survivors of domestic violence and sex trafficking.

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I am excited about this grant that supports Creative Healing Art Therapy and sponsors a 6-week workshop for Veterans. Members will utilize art therapy interventions to process loss, relieve stress and anxiety, and promote wellness. This process-oriented group will lead participants on a journey through 3-D art techniques, including pottery wheel, mosaic, mold-making, and soap carving.

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This non-profit organization is founded by an inspiring group of musicians, Henhouse Prowlers. Since 2013, the Prowlers have been working as cultural ambassadors with the US State Department and have toured over 25 countries, making stops in the Middle East and Africa.

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“Pierce's Promise is a 501(c)(3) organization born to fulfill the promise Pierce had to our world; and to fulfill our unspoken promise to Pierce to make sure his life...and death...forever matter. We have two clear purposes: to equip and empower young people to learn the power and love of music and to raise awareness surrounding the risk of sudden suicide in young adults. “ You can learn more about Pierce’s Story here.

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Gibault Children’s Services reached out to tell me about their organization and the lack of funds available to purchase instruments and music equipment to support their music therapy program for at-risk youth living in their residential treatment facility.

” These children are the high at-risk kids in Indiana and many arrive to us with just the clothes on their backs. The Gibault staff strives to give these kids a loving home environment while they are in our care. We would love to be able to provide them with opportunities maybe not afforded in their home environments. The education staff have found that children who learn music are better at math and reading. This is so important for our kids as many of them come to us a grade level behind in the core subjects.”

I am thrilled to fund Gibalut’s proposal for the following therapy-oriented instruments and equipment:

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The previous donation was for musicians who have been unable to work do to the pandemic. This donation to the Positive Legacy COVID-19 Relief Fund will "provide support to music industry crew workers while they are on a forced intermission from work." This would include those who run sound, lights, stage set-up, and all the other much needed work that allows live music to happen. As always, thank you for your continued support that allows me to support other wonderful organizations.

https://www.positivelegacy.com/impact

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I made the decision to donate all the grant money I have saved to MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. It feels right because without the musicians who donate their used strings, I wouldn't be able to create the art that I do. To be honest, my husband is an out of work musician, and we are feeling the effects like so many. Twice Upon a String's mission is to donate 20% to music/ art nonprofits, so this money I've been saving is meant to make a difference. I made this donation in memory of John Prine and in honor of all the musicians who are unable to do what they love most right now. If you are a full-time musician, please use the link below to apply for assistance. If you are looking for a custom piece, please feel free to send a message! Be well! We really are all in this together. ✌️ ❤️ 🎶

https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund

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I am so excited about this new grant Twice Upon a String is providing for teens and adults in S.O.A.R (Special Opportunities Available in Recreation). "So You Wanna Be A Rockstar" offers adapted music lessons through Developing Melodies Music Therapy Center.

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Music can be a powerful healing tool and comfort during times of stress and uncertainty. Twice Upon A String’s latest music therapy grant is for a very special group, dogs and cats awaiting their furever home. 🌟 Click Read More to see the powerful video of dogs responding to music therapy!

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This grant is exciting because it involves both art and music therapy. Twice Upon A String provided two separate grants, so two different groups will have the opportunity to participate. I am so glad to support another program for teens and adults from SOAR (Special Opportunities Available in Recreation). The second group is a local youth group with at-risk teens. Click ** READ MORE** for an UPDATE on this project and a short video of the workshop in action.

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