“MVM has been one of the single most important things in my life.” - Caleb Former Student/Teacher

Dear friends,

After years of dreaming of a free, after school drop in program, in 2019 we launched Open Studio where two days a week, kids gather to share songs, record, and work with MVM mentors to improve their playing.

This is how longterm mentorship through music begins. A kid first comes to Open Studio because a counselor refers them or their friends are going. They begin to develop their musical interests alongside relationships with peers and MVM staff. These relationships keep them coming back and provide a through-line of support through adolescence. Many of these youth will go on to become MVM mentors themselves. Currently, 25% of MVM's teaching staff started out as students. Some of these teachers have had their self-narrative transformed from “I need services in order to survive”, to “I provide services to help others thrive”. 

Thank you for being a part of our community and helping to provide accessible, longterm mentorship and music instruction for Portland youth. With your support, MVM's Artist Mentorship Program will serve over 500 young people in 2020. (In addition to over 1,000 youth served in residential mental health and behavioral facilities through MVM’s Outreach Program).

I hope you will continue to help make this important work possible by making a donation today.

With gratitude and best wishes for 2020,

Ian Mouser

Founder + Executive Director