“…To youth standing up and shaking with nerves to speak their story boldly, to see it received, indeed to watch their words move the audience is powerful. These groups don’t just help youth to share their voice, they help youth to see themselves in new ways – as young men able to learn new concepts, overcome fears, connect with community in a positive and meaningful way, and as individuals with meaning and value beyond their current circumstance.”
- Morrison Child and Family Breakthrough Program
“My Voice Music is the best program we have at our facility. It has positively changed the culture on our units – during the week kids are writing songs and jamming together and our staff are even getting involved in playing the instruments and jamming with youth. Music is literally bouncing off the walls now! It helps our youth express themselves emotionally in a natural way…we often use the songs they write to help us process in therapy! You guys are awesome!”
- Albertina Kerr Centers Subacute Program
“Most often, when kids return from MVM groups they tend to display positive behaviors. In particular I have seen this be helpful for our kids who engage in self-harm. When they return from My Voice they are able to refocus on positive matters and are more present in the day and less stuck in their heads. We notice that it is helpful for all of the kids to use some creative energy in a way that we are not able to generally provide in our program. The group is a break from the day to day schedule of our program and it helps them to get their minds off negative matters they may have been focused on. We work hard to try and have them focus on positive skills and this is definitely one of the best ways we have seen that happen.”
- Melinda Mattson, Youth Villages