Institute of Jamaica Junior Centers – Music Development Program
Jamaica 2013
Held at the two Centres (East Street, Downtown Kingston and Greater Portmore, St. Catherine) the music program attracts approximately one hundred (100) children between the ages 6-18 years old from the adjacent communities. The children that attend the program come from low to middle income families; as a result, some of these families live in the poorest areas and lack the resources to provide the basic social and educational resources for their children.
Research has reinforced the value of the arts as a tool for the teaching and learning of many skills and concepts beyond the arts themselves. The arts do not only act as a vehicle for self-expression but also helps to facilitate the development of analytical and problem-solving skills. The arts also facilitate the connections needed among academic areas, events outside of the classroom, and enhances team work.
People Bridge was a proud sponsor of the music program. This program is designed as an intervention that has academic and therapeutic value and offers quality childcare, skills training (music), social skills activities and complementary services to help young people break the cycle of poverty and crime.
This Project allowed the purchase of musical instruments to enhance the regular weekly Afterschool Music program of the Junior Centres and has offered greater opportunities to the participants of this program. More students are able to participate in the classes as more instruments become available. The instruments were also used in the music classes offered as part of the Junior Centre Summer Arts Workshops and in the Junior Centre Evening of Excellence events. The Project was completed in 2013.