Brooklyn Porch Music
Support Brooklyn Porch Music
World renowned saxophone player and lifelong Flatbush, Brooklyn resident Roy Nathanson started Brooklyn Porch Music at the start of the 2020 Covid19 lockdown, and since then, the program has made a tremendous impact on the lives of young people in our community and working musicians in our community.
Since it began, Brooklyn Porch Music has offered families a free youth music program with high quality private lessons with musician mentors, weekly ensemble rehearsals, songwriting workshops and opportunities to perform live in the heart of Brooklyn. Brooklyn Porch Music is a creative outlet for expression that empowers youth to believe they can transform their communities through music.
Today, we are reaching out to you to join us in our crowdfunding campaign, as we strive to continue our mission and expand our reach during the 2023-2024 school year.
Over the past three years, Brooklyn Porch Music has proudly served 200 youth with seven full seasons of programming. Every season we have observed how Porch Music’s special brand of programming can make a lasting positive change in the social-emotional growth of teens. Research demonstrates that music has the power to improve mental health outcomes for all people, by nurturing creativity, boosting self-confidence, and fostering strong social connections. In our 2022 program survey, an astounding 98% of youth in our program reported that 5PM Porch Music positively influenced how they view themselves and 95% reported that the program helped them form meaningful friendships with peers and adults.
However, the challenges we face are growing. Mayor Adams is calling on New York City schools to cut budgets for music and arts programs, leaving working class families with limited access to the transformative power of music education. At a time when teens struggle with depression and anxiety at national crisis levels, it is crucial for us to rally together and ensure that Porch Music not only continues but expands.
To keep Brooklyn Porch Music alive, we need to raise $65,000 through this campaign.
These funds will enable us to support twelve mentor musicians and four student interns, who play a vital role in guiding and inspiring our youth. Additionally, the proceeds will help us purchase and repair instruments, ensuring that every aspiring musician has access to the tools they need to nurture their talent. Moreover, we will be able to secure rehearsal space for our weekly ensemble rehearsal, accommodating up to 60 people. Rehearsal space is paramount to fostering a collaborative environment that encourages growth and creativity.
By supporting Brooklyn Porch Music, you are investing in the future of our community. Your contribution will provide young individuals with an avenue for self-expression, personal growth, and a sense of belonging. Together, we can ensure that music remains a powerful force in the lives of young people that helps them make sense of and overcome despite the challenges they face.
Join us in our crowdfunding campaign today, and let’s empower the youth of Flatbush, Brooklyn, through the universal language of music. Together, we can make a lasting difference in their lives and shape a brighter future.
Donate now and help us reach our goal of $65,000 to keep the rhythm of hope alive!
Thank you to Jaznina Santiago for these beautiful photos. Brooklyn Porch Music is sponsored by Jazz Passengers Music Projects, Inc., a 501(c)(3) tax exempt New York not-for-profit. All donations are fully tax deductible.