Beyond the Bars Giving Drive

Beyond the Bars started 3 years ago with one teacher instructing youth who were incarcerated in Philadelphia's jails. He taught far too many talented and kind young people in the program who all repeated the same line. They stated, "We wish we had a music program like this before being locked up." This line was constantly echoed as a result of our city’s severe shortage of music programs that serve the needs of our students. Furthermore, many of city's music programs are in locations far from our students and may not always appeal to their particular musical tastes and desires. Over the last 3 years, Beyond the Bars has expanded to become a community based music program that teaches not only to our incarcerated youth in jail, but also to our students who have incarcerated loved ones.

Beyond the Bars has become a staple in the West Philadelphia community and has taught over 200 students the last three years. Using a student centered model, our program has developed very strong connections with our young people and have seen their amazing talent shine. Whether it was playing local shows in West Philadelphia or selling out shows at the World Cafe Live, they have put their amazing creativity on display in positive and healthy manners where they have been recognized for their amazing musicianship and beautiful young people that they are.

Beyond the Bars needs help to increase stability as it now faces the problem of being in a transitionary locations. The program teaches from several different spaces where they are unable to run full 5 to 7 day a week programming. Beyond the Bars has all of the equipment and instructors prepared to run additional programming, such as a recording workshop for our youth in our community, but currently do not have the space necessary to provide the service. Nonprofits are frequently at the mercy of landlords who consistently raise prices as neighborhoods gentrify. It is Beyond the Bars goal to raise enough money to find a space that it can provide a consistent, stable environment fostering a long lasting community development and provide even more meaningful education to more students.

Your generosity would help not just one student receive a musical education, but it would play a part in securing a home for an institution to do this for many years to come. Our students deserve a musical home where they can express themselves and feel safe. Any donation would go towards providing our students with what they deserve.

Thank you for your time and we appreciate your generosity as you become a part of our growing process.