PHOENIX – The Durango Juvenile Detention Center is helping troubled kids heal by learning about music.
<!–>
These newfound guitarists barely knew anything about guitar just a short time ago.
What they’re saying:
–>
“Learning a new song and just that feeling that you’re able to do it, it’s just something else,” a juvenile in the detention center said.
Juvenile detention officer Chrystal Lopez says they start out with the basics, like learning music notes and tuning your guitar.
<!–>
“We started out with just a couple kids, two or three kids, and now we have a whole wait list going on,” she said.
–>
This guitar program motivates kids, Lopez said, and gives them goals to achieve.
<!–>
–>
She says they have to behave well to get the chance to learn.
<!–>
“It teaches them responsibility. It gives them an outlet. It teaches them teamwork, respect, everything. It makes a big difference,” she said.
–>
Because they’re juveniles, we can’t show you their faces, or tell you their names, but they say this program has been rewarding.
<!–>
“I wanted to play for my family, and a way for me, it’s a de-stresser. Some of us, we have some bad days sometimes. It’s just something that helps us get our minds off things sometimes,” a juvenile said.
–>
‘This is something I want to continue to pursue’
<!–>
“We just believe that music changes people. It gives the kids an opportunity to get away from all the stress they have going on,” Lopez said.
–>
The Free Guitars 4 Kids organization allows kids who behave well enough to not just get to learn guitar, but take it home with them, too.
<!–>
It’s a way to motivate these juveniles when they get back home to stay focused.
–>
“This is something I want to continue to pursue once I’m out of here at Durango,” a juvenile said.
<!–>
Juvenile detention officer Chrystal Lopez –> <!–>
–>
‘It’s just really rewarding to see’
<!–>
ASU guitar grad students also visit the center to help teach these kids.
–>
They’re not focusing on what led them to be here, but focusing on what can help them grow from the moment.
<!–>
“We’re just grateful to have them, also the Free Guitars 4 Kids organization, that they donate these guitars, and they allow us to take them home with us. I just want to say I’m grateful for them to give us this opportunity in detention,” a juvenile said.
–>
“They have goals now,” Lopez said. “It’s just really rewarding to see.”
<!–>
–>
发表回复