And then I start again
from Border by Kehlani
There’s no denying that we are stronger in community - it’s what provides safety, encouragement, and stability. We are empowered by one another to step up and step out. Our strength is each other. We experienced this more than ever the last several months as we’ve planned and prepared our most recent event, Music Can Help: A Night of R&B with Damaris Rivera, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month.
Damaris singing Folded by Kehlani. Click the picture to watch the full song! Kehlani made a huge impact in Damaris and her connection with music.
This entire event was just a dream. Damaris was looking to get back into music, and we were looking for some way to spread our mission and get more people supported with music therapy. When talking with Damaris, she stressed that whatever she stepped into, especially musically, had to have a greater purpose. Her work had to support a cause and give back to the community. It’s more than just music, it is a way to connect with one another and ourselves.
The event was a fundraising concert to expand Music Can Help’s community services to the greater Rochester area and help the launch of the New York State Association for Music Therapy (NYSAMT) which supports board-certified music therapists in better caring for the people of New York State. The night’s mission was to bring people together, mitigate social isolation, and provide a fun time with music!
As we gathered support and shared the message, we had many memorable moments throughout the process, such as an Instagram Live conversation on music and mental health to announce the event, a feature with local R&B radio station WDKX on their podcast, and a news segment with 13WHAM in Rochester.
Click the picture to hear our conversation on music, mental health, and the “why” behind the event.
Click the picture to watch the news feature which includes some pictures of music therapy!
We met with our big supporters and learned more about their businesses and why they want to support music and mental health. Our sponsors were the backbone of the event - they made it possible, and we are so grateful.
The Penthouse was our biggest sponsor as they donated their space and their staff to the evening. Click to check out the venue - it’s gorgeous!
Community Bank on N Goodman in Rochester was so generous. On top of the sponsorship, their community room was donated for the music therapy association’s launch workshop.
GoodLife Collective was one of our first supporters and became a notable sponsor. They have so many helpful products and even a shop dog. Check out the video!
Throughout the process of developing this event, meeting with sponsors, and connecting with Rochester businesses, we learned just how generous people are and how we can start something new at any time. Our dream turned into a reality with every check that came in and media feature that went out. This letter from music reminds us that we can start again at any time and that people care to support our efforts. In a beautiful way, music is often the common string that connects us all.
