“Beyond the Bars began as volunteer music program for youth who were incarcerated at Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Facility. It started as one teacher being asked to provide lessons for students at PICC. After realizing the dearth of music programs for youth who were incarcerated they began teaching 10 students a week at the jail. This grew quickly to several musicians and educators throughout the Philadelphia community coming together and organizing to run a program that was focused on being student centric for youth who were incarcerated.
During this time we taught far too many talented young people who grew to be incredible musicians and showcased true leadership and compassion for one another. We saw students grow through music and worked with our teachers to build not just a program but a culture where people could be themselves and express how they were authentically feeling. Students described our program as “their therapy,” and families agreed that they saw their children grow and communicate in increasingly positive manners. Sadly our youth frequently stated how much that they had wished they had an accessible musical program where their voices were heard when they were younger. Many of our students frequently further used music as a means of opening up and discussing significant amounts of trauma that they had experienced in their adolescence as the result of violence and divestment from our communities.” We provided 20 guitars to aid in expanding their music facilities across Philadelphia .
In a note to G4G after the donation, Beyond the Bars said, “THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!! These are amazing guitars and our students will be thrilled!!! We are beyond grateful and couldn't be more thankful for the incredible generosity and impact of Guitars 4 Gifts!!! Y'all are amazing and make such an incredible impact for our young people! There are so many talented young people who are going to realize the talented artists that they because of y'all! THANK YOU!!!!”