Puzzle Image: Here's what a music therapy session might look like!
Empower a Child Like Jamal with Music Therapy!
By: Sparks for Success
His arms were crossed and a frown was on his face. When Jamal* showed up for his first music therapy session at age 8, he didn’t want anything to do with making music. However, he was intrigued when he saw other kids laughing at the therapist’s funny hand motions to a song.
The next week, feeling bored and lonely outside the group, he began tapping on one of the drums, eventually scooting over to the circle to see the instrument the therapist was showing the group. Before he knew it, he was calling out insistently on his interpretation of the theme of the song that the therapist had just played. The therapist praised Jamal for his insightfulness.
After that, Jamal was hooked. He began providing even more suggestions: first the name of his favorite song, then musical notes for a group composition. After several more weeks, he was even speaking up on behalf of other students so their ideas were heard as well!
Sometimes all it takes is one kind word, one acknowledgement of a child’s humanity, and a spark of leadership can be ignited. Many of Sparks’ kids are seldom commended on their good qualities outside of the classroom. That’s why Sparks’ music therapists show up, week after week, to show care for kids like Jamal and model ways they can develop skills that will help them throughout their lives.
Won’t you show up with us for a child like Jamal? When you contribute to this puzzle, you are adding the missing pieces of care and support for kids whose parents are incarcerated and unable to care for them. Each puzzle piece is $16, which covers one session for one child.
You can purchase as many pieces as you’d like and empower even more kids like Jamal to participate in and be transformed by the work of music therapy.
*Name changed for confidentiality
About Sparks for Success
Sparks for Success was founded to change the lives of a marginalized and often underserved group – children of inmates. In the state of Texas, current numbers show that there are approximately 500,000 children with an incarcerated parent. Youth with one or both parents in jail or prison make up one of the largest at-risk populations in the United States.
These children generally face unique challenges including trauma from parental separation, mental health issues, a lack of resources and increased financial burden. Sparks for Success students primarily live in impoverished areas and attend Title 1 schools throughout Central Texas. Many do not have reliable transportation to extracurricular programming. This is why we bring our program to their schools during the school day as a tool for early intervention.
Sparks for Success instills hope in our students as we teach them critical life skills through our music therapy and private music lesson programs. We understand a holistic approach is necessary to help our students change their trajectory away from generational incarceration and toward healing and success.
Sparks for Success! is a non-profit charitable organization under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3).
To learn more, visit https://www.sparksforsuccess.org
Hear a music therapist describe how one student’s life was impacted by music therapy!
About This Exciting Opportunity
His arms were crossed and a frown was on his face. When Jamal* showed up for his first music therapy session at age 8, he didn’t want anything to do with making music. However, he was intrigued when he saw other kids laughing at the therapist’s funny hand motions to a song.
The next week, feeling bored and lonely outside the group, he began tapping on one of the drums, eventually scooting over to the circle to see the instrument the therapist was showing the group. Before he knew it, he was calling out insistently on his interpretation of the theme of the song that the therapist had just played. The therapist praised Jamal for his insightfulness.
After that, Jamal was hooked. He began providing even more suggestions: first the name of his favorite song, then musical notes for a group composition. After several more weeks, he was even speaking up on behalf of other students so their ideas were heard as well!
Sometimes all it takes is one kind word, one acknowledgement of a child’s humanity, and a spark of leadership can be ignited. Many of Sparks’ kids are seldom commended on their good qualities outside of the classroom. That’s why Sparks’ music therapists show up, week after week, to show care for kids like Jamal and model ways they can develop skills that will help them throughout their lives.
Won’t you show up with us for a child like Jamal? When you contribute to this puzzle, you are adding the missing pieces of care and support for kids whose parents are incarcerated and unable to care for them. Each puzzle piece is $16, which covers one session for one child.
You can purchase as many pieces as you’d like and empower even more kids like Jamal to participate in and be transformed by the work of music therapy.
Can’t purchase a piece but still want to contribute? We’d love your help spreading the word. Check out and share this video!
*Name changed for confidentiality
About Sparks for Success
Sparks for Success was founded to change the lives of a marginalized and often underserved group – children of inmates. In the state of Texas, current numbers show that there are approximately 500,000 children with an incarcerated parent. Youth with one or both parents in jail or prison make up one of the largest at-risk populations in the United States.
These children generally face unique challenges including trauma from parental separation, mental health issues, a lack of resources and increased financial burden. Sparks for Success students primarily live in impoverished areas and attend Title 1 schools throughout Central Texas. Many do not have reliable transportation to extracurricular programming. This is why we bring our program to their schools during the school day as a tool for early intervention.
Sparks for Success instills hope in our students as we teach them critical life skills through our music therapy and private music lesson programs. We understand a holistic approach is necessary to help our students change their trajectory away from generational incarceration and toward healing and success.
Sparks for Success! is a non-profit charitable organization under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3).
To learn more, visit https://www.sparksforsuccess.org
Hear a music therapist describe how one student’s life was impacted by music therapy!
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Goal: $1,600
Project Goal = $1,600
1 piece = $16