Band of the Strong’s Program Model

Band of the Strong’s Model

We hold event based programs where we provide each youth involved with a cigar box guitar (which they get to paint), opportunities to tell their story in painting, writing, and song. These events are solidified with a musical experience from local musicians and the founders of the organization. Our philosophy for working with youth are as follows:

1. Be willing to be vulnerable and share your story. When others see your challenges, they are more willing to share their challenges.

2. Be silly. The challenges in life are difficult enough. We have to, at times, separate ourselves from these challenges and enjoy the world around us.

3. The challenges in our lives make us stronger, teach us valuable lessons, and give us a way to make the world around us a better place.

4. Be 100% honest about how the challenges in our lives affect us. Some times we have to cut deep to understand how to live a happier life.

5. Quiet reflection is necessary to process the questions that arise from the challenges in our lives. The guitars below are a personification of their stories done in quiet reflection.

6. Allow room for exploration. We never "get over" the greatest challenges in our lives, we only learn to process them from new perspectives; room for exploring new horizons encourages the process to continue, for hope to thrive, and room for a happy life.

Band of the Strong Tiers

Community Building: First and foremost, we must build strong relations among those we serve. Music, art and writing are non-threatening ways to include anyone. In low-pressure situations, art, music and writing becomes puzzle pieces that tell the stories of those who make the notes, strokes, and words.

Investigation of the Pieces: Once pieces of the puzzle have been made and created, we start to investigate those them. We start to ask where they come from and what they might have to say about those creating art. Self-discovery and an understanding of how the world has changed us become evident.

Putting the Pieces Together: The pieces of the puzzle start to come together into individual stories. These narratives, allow members in our programming to start seeing the extent of their stories and provide them insights for where the story leads next.

Integrating into the Community: We are a part of a greater community. Our greater community needs our story! Each individual’s story now becomes a piece of a larger story. Here dignity allows each person a place at the table.

Availability

Upon Request
Weekends and Summer Mornings

Location

We Come to YOU!