Rhythm & Word Music Therapy Programme for At-Risk Youth
The North Vancouver Community Arts Council has been offering this programme in a partnership with the North Vancouver School District #44 since 2002.
Rhythm & Word utilizes music to foster the well-being of marginalized youth, offering a valuable social service through an art form easily embraced by young people. Programme participants develop and improve fundamental social skills, such as listening, communication, teamwork, leadership, anger management, trust, respect and positive self-expression.
This free programme is accessible to any KLASS students that show a personal interest. Participants have the opportunity to play a variety of instruments such as electric bass, electric guitar, digital keyboard, hand drums and drums and learn vocalizing, song writing and recording.
The benefits achieved in music therapy expand to the greater community by providing supervised opportunities for creative self-expression, alternative activities to street life, constructive team building skills and development of positive interpersonal relationships.
This is a programme that has profound benefits as it uses the deepest intrinsic value of an art form to provide an opportunity to influence and positively impact “at- risk” youth on the North Shore. This programme uses music as a tool to assist in developing positive self-esteem, social skills, teach new technical skills and also how to cooperate and collaborate in a constructive manner.
We thank TD Canada Trust, Lonsdale Avenue Branch, for supporting the Rhythm & Word Music Therapy Programme this year.
Pictured are: (back row, left to right) Joel Kroeker (Music Therapist), Michele Henderson (Principal, Keith Lynn Alternative School), Lisa Richardson (TD Branch Manager Lonsdale), Kristen Beaulieu (Mutual Funds Representative, TD Investment Services, Esplanade West) and holding the cheque is Geoff Pate, (Board Member, North Vancouver Community Arts Council).
We acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia.