I have just joined Little Kids Rock! and am so proud to be an honorary board member of this great organization that helps thousands of children by providing music programs and instruments to schools across the country. Here's a little piece that I wrote in support of Little Kid's Rock. I've also posted a video from my mentoring program, AMP (Anybody's Mentoring Program). This is some of the footage from my mentoring program at Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles.
Little Kids Rock
When I was a kid my mom worked full time, so I was often left alone after school. Where I grew up, this was a perfect recipe for trouble. One Christmas, my mom bought me a guitar. All of the sudden, I was able to express my feelings and channel my energy into music, which helped build my self esteem and kept me from “looking for something to do”. The gift of that guitar, coupled with a passion for music, probably saved my life.
In working with kids through my mentoring program, A.M.P. (Anybody's Mentoring Program), I have witnessed hundreds of kids who have also been saved through music. A huge problem that I saw while visiting schools, was that many of them no longer had music programs; leaving the kids without an essential part of their growth.
I also witnessed the incredible power of a dedicated music teacher, through an "angel" named Mrs. Stevenson; a choir teacher at a high school in Los Angeles. The kids in this choir learned discipline, creativity, pride, and had an outlet that could influence their future, in so many positive ways.
Music was the reason I was able to remain, and even excel in school. Music gave me my career.
I had a "Mrs. Stevenson" in my life: every child deserves a "Mrs. Stevenson"!
Little Kid's Rock may be that ”angel” to millions of kids who deserve a chance to experience and develop one of the greatest natural gifts available… music and all the amazing benefits it can bring!
- Meredith Brooks
