Enriching the lives of at-risk youth through arts education.
THEIR STORY, OUR PURPOSE
At risk youth are often displaced, come from low-income families, or have a hard time coping to the many forms of abuse they have had to endure. Some lose their parents, have no family, no support system, no stability, or subjected to a life of crime, abuse and misfortune. Many kids are exposed to crime at a young age, are neglected, abandoned, or become a product of their environment for the sake of survival.
To read more about at risk-youth, go to http://schoolengagement.org/school-engagement-services/at-risk-youth/
AT RISK YOUTH
Factors that Contribute to At risk Youth
Family risk factors, community risk factors and personal factors are evaluated to determine whether a child is "at risk" . Family risk factors include single parenthood, low-education levels themselves, or the parents regularly undermining the youth’s development. The level of risk in the family can be measured by those factors along with welfare dependence, family dysfunction, and parental substance abuse.
Community Risk includes low-income neighborhoods with a high crime rate, toxins in the environment, low language proficiency, or perhaps a low graduation rate at their school.
Individual diagnoses can contribute to a youth being at-risk. A teen diagnosed with depression may be more at risk for suicidal thoughts or suicide itself, while a teen diagnosed with a personality or mood disorder may be more at risk and prone to violence or aggressive behavior. Alcoholism or substance abuse can also play a role.
THE VALUE OF TRADE SKILLS FOR AT RISK YOUTH
At TLMC, we believe that offering at risk youth an opportunity to learn valuable trade skills in the music industry and teaching coping skills through artistic expression can help abate behavioral issues, foster talent, and give youth a vision of a future without limitations. These educational and artistic opportunities can help them become well-rounded individuals, with a purpose and a vision for their future. This future will be filled with music, art, live performances, meeting local, regional and national acts, the opportunity to network, and become independent individuals that can choose to work for themselves, production companies, recording studios, unions, travelling bands, and so much more.
THE VALUE OF MUSIC THERAPY FOR YOUTH WITH DEPRESSION, EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES
Coping Through Musical Expression
October 2014, the largest study of its kind was conducted in Queen's University, Bellfast. The study evaluates the impact of music therapy for at-risk youth, with depression, emotional and behavioral issues. The study concludes, that children who receive music therapy show an increase in self-esteem, and significantly reduced depression than those who did not.
At TLMC we understand how much of an impact music can make for a life. Music is a universal language, that is felt and understood by all walks of life. We believe that we can make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth by giving them an opportunity to learn how to cope through musical and artistic expression.
To learn more about the impacts of music therapy on at-risk youth, please click the link below.