The Village Network-Akron Scores Music Program
AKRON -Funds from the Mary and Dr. George L. Demetros Charitable Trust FirstMerit Bank, N.A., Trustees recently purchased beginners' level music instruments and sheet music for the a new program at The Village Network-Akron (TVN-Akron). The funds purchased 12 keyboards with tutorial programs and 8 Fender acoustic guitars.
Music education and therapy is a clinical, evidence-based practice used to address physical, emotional and social needs of children and adolescents with mental health needs. Participants don't need musical ability to benefit from the therapy and all styles of music are effective, according to Chuck Baldwin, program director at TVN-Akron.
"Music is a universal coping skill for many of us," said Baldwin. "In TVN programs it is a utilized as a coping skill to defuse anger and other emotions our youth struggle with."
In addition to helping a child refocus, learning to play an instrument builds confidence, added Baldwin. The youth are encouraged to play the instruments during free time.
Implementing music education is only one of several innovative programs used to help troubled and traumatized boys and girls inside TVN's programs. Currently TVN-Akron helps 60 at-risk boys and girls.
TVN-Akron is located on the grounds of the Interval Brotherhood Home in Portage Lakes. It is one of two co-educational residential treatment locations and offers both short and long-term programs. Treatment Foster Care and Day Treatment Mental Health program for boys and girls are also available at the Akron location. The Day Treatment program helps youth in need of intensive mental health services and academic instruction.
The Akron location is only one of two sites currently providing In-Home Family Stability services for children and families inside the care of Summit County Children Services (SCCS).
In addition to the new music program, TVN-Akron has expanded its art therapy program to include digital art. A recent grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation purchased laptops and digital cameras for the mobile art lab.
TVN-Akron is one of 11 locations helping youth prepare for positive, productive lives. The agency has a long-standing, award winning history of success providing consistency across residential, day treatment, treatment foster care, respite care and alternative school programs.
Other TVN facilities are located in Canton, Cleveland, Columbus, Delaware, Lorain, Mount Vernon, Newark, Uhrichsville, Sandusky and Wooster. For more information, visit http://www.thevillagenetwork.org/.