Harmonikids returns to teach a Classroom of Students with Formidable Life Challenges to Play Harmonica

On June 2nd through the sponsorship of Hohner, I returned to New Castle County's Vocational Tech (NCCVT) school for "severely disabled" youth in Wilmington, DE. What was accomplished that day is again among Harmonikids' proudest achievements. Remarkably, all of the students present found a path to make music in spite of formidable challenges. Among them, a teen with cerebral palsy and severe cognitive difficulties literally rose up from his daily challenges to participate - inspired by hearing and learning the Blues on a new Hohner harmonica... and a song by Elvis. As Harmonikids programs have proven for decades, learning to play music on a harmonica can lead youth across daunting boundaries.

On March 20, 2016 I provided a Hohner-sponsored Harmonikids session to youth at "Kids Kottage", Washoe County Child Advocacy Center in Reno, NV. Kids Kottage is an emergency shelter for children who have been removed from their home due to abuse or neglect. The intention of the facility is to provide kids with a positive home environment where they can play, learn and have a sense of safety and normality. Harmonikids provides youth such as these a healthy and positive form of creative expression and emotional release in this crucial time in their lives.

On February 27,2016 I brought my Hohner-sponsored Harmonikids session to the Salt Lake Valley Detention Center (SLVDC), In Salt Lake City Utah. SLVDC is a full-security facility designed to rehabilitate troubled youth detained by court order. Such facilities have become among my favorite to provide Harmonikids humanitarian services. Sadly, most of these teens are there ultimately as a result of abandonment, neglect, abuse, or violent childhood environments. Their confidence and self-esteem are likely shaken if not shattered – leaving them feeling broken, hopeless, and trapped.

On January 28, 2016, while performing at the Western Folklife Center's National Cowboy Gathering I brought my Hohner-sponsored Harmonikids session to the Nevada Youth Training Center (NYTC) in Elko, NV. NYTC is a a full-security facility designed to rehabilitate troubled youth detained by court order. Such facilities have become among my favorite to provide Harmonikids humanitarian services. Sadly, most of these teens are there ultimately as a result of abandonment, neglect, abuse, or violent childhood environments.

Greetings From Harmonikids!

Every year at this time I take time to reflect upon and share Harmonikids annual accomplishments in the past year. Even in light of considerable achievements in past years, 2015 was particularly productive. Harmonikids sessions and humanitarian outreach effectively aided and delighted youth with widely diverse special challenges all over the country - including those who are hospitalized, in Big Brother Big Sister programs, African refugees, economically challenged, developmentally disabled, in substance abuse rehabilitation, at risk, and in correctional facilities