Out of the Ashes Music Therapy 4-6 VFW

Out of the Ashes Music Therapy Program at VFW and Boundary Bay Beer Garden
The Out of the Ashes Music Therapy Program provides a unique opportunity for children and adults with disabilities to participate in a weekly music program in Bellingham. The leader of this program has similar programs in Burlington and Arlington, but the Jazz Project’s participation so far, has been limited to Whatcom County. All participants have some sort of disability: cerebral palsy, down syndrome, blindness, autism, among other conditions. Many participants are non-verbal, live in group homes, and have staff or caregivers that accompany them to the music program. Ages range from early teens to early 70’s. The event is critical to the lives of the participants who would otherwise sit at home and have limited community support and social interactions. The band is the tie that binds these individuals to one another as peers and to our community at large. Out of the Ashes gives them a voice, a feeling of self worth, and control over their lives. And besides, who doesn’t love singing and playing drums. To contribute to this program log in to www.jazzproject.org and click the “donate now” button to notate your contribution to this fund. Out of the Ashes performs every Tuesday from 4-6 pm at the VFW Hall (Oct-May) and in Boundary Bay’s Beer Garden (June –Sept).