In the midst of the scorching heat, homeless and impoverished Arizona children are enjoying air conditioned classrooms, two nourishing meals a day, therapeutic music lessons, and help with their academics to improve their educational outcomes. The Children First Leadership Academy (formerly Thomas J. Pappas School for the Homeless) is partnering with All Kids Need Music to help Arizona’s most vulnerable children receive the personalized attention they need to improve their chances for positive academic and mental health outcomes. Without intervention, the long term effects of childhood homeless and poverty can rob them of the chance for a productive, happy life. The program’s impact on the children has thus far has been described as “remarkable” and “miraculous” due to the academic, musical, and socio-emotional progress being made. Meeting the needs of Arizona’s at risk child population is a substantial undertaking. Poverty rates for children in Arizona are among the highest in the nation, with 21.5% of children under 18 living in poverty (University of Arizona, 2019). Children who live in poverty are at risk for homeless, substandard housing, inadequate nutrition and food insecurity, unsafe neighborhoods, under resourced schools, and inadequate child care. Poor academic achievement, school dropout, abuse and neglect, behavioral and socio-emotional problems, health problems, and developmental delays are also risks as children in poverty grow older (American Psychological Association). Fortunately, research illustrates that economically 
at risk children may be able to overcome the significant risk factors with appropriate interventions. Learning to play music is one therapeutic intervention proven to improve cognitive functioning, educational outcomes, and positively impact mental health. All Kids Need Music focuses on providing at risk Arizona children the opportunity to overcome through the transformative power of therapeutic music lessons from a trauma informed perspective. The Children First Leadership Academy serves the homeless and impoverished population in Phoenix. Their mission is to provide high quality educational services and resources to students with wide ranging social, emotional, and academic needs in a safe, stable, engaging, and empowering environment to prepare at risk students for current and future success. A generous grant from the Arizona Community Foundation and a private donor provided the funding needed to conduct the music portion of the four week summer school camp. Over 100 musical instruments have been provided, plus music teachers and academic teachers to serve the 4th-8th grade students attending the camp. Press Conference and Interview Availability: Interviews are available on site at the Children First Leadership Academy, located at 1648 S. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034 on Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 at 2pm. Jerry Lewis, Assistant Superintendent of Edkey Schools; Vickie Isaac, Founding Board Member of All Kids Need Music, and Ms. Jancyk, music teacher are available for interviews. Limited access to filming/photos of the children will be provided with children who have signed releases. To schedule an interview, please contact Vickie Isaac at vickie.isaac@elevatemarketing.biz. |
