Why This Matters

  • 90% of children in foster care have gone through heartbreaking life experiences.
  • 25% of foster children will experience PTSD (twice the rate of U.S. war veterans).
  • 20% are homeless soon after aging out of care at age 18.
  • 20% will be incarcerated by age 21.
  • Only 50% graduate high school.
  • Only 3% obtain college degrees.

 

Giving kids music education improves:

  • Self-esteem and mental wellbeing
  • Vocabulary, reading, and writing
  • Cognitive function
  • Collaboration
  • Pursuit of higher education
  • Empathy and compassion
  • Perseverance

Ray Benson (Asleep at the Wheel)

What We Do Now

We Provide:
  • Weekly one-on-one music lessons.
  • Instruments for as long as a student is enrolled in the program.
  • The opportunity for students to express themselves at regular performances.
  • Support and encouragement to students for their efforts.
  • ACTR-designed training for all teachers involved to help them more effectively nurture and support their students.

Our Goals

  • Launched in 2022 with 30 students and hope to serve 100 students by the end of 2023
  • Offer every Austin-area child in foster care the opportunity to take music lessons
  • Increase music school partnerships to make lessons more accessible to all families
  • Include children in socio-economically challenged families
  • Augment music programs in public schools
  • Expand the program nationwide

MEET THE AMBASSADORS

Austin-based musicians are helping us get the word out in a big way. Proud ambassadors of A Chance to Rock are:

Sponsors

Participating Schools