July 2014 Newsletter
In this issue:
- And now a word from our 2015 nonprofit partner: StepUp
- Call for nonprofits – applicants
- After Work Socials are being revamped!
- Our busy bee - Daniel Stark
And now a word from our 2015 nonprofit partner: StepUp
At StepUp, we asked each of our participants to share a word with us, a word that describes how they feel that day. And when we think about our partnership with Band Together, we can’t come up with just one word. StepUp is excited, motivated, and inspired to continue serving our community and to work alongside Band Together for a greater vision and broader reach.Every day 140,000 potential job candidates will start the day competing for 25,000 posted job openings in Wake County. Many of these candidates will have the challenge of job searching from a homeless shelter or are beginning their first day home from prison.For the past 25 years, StepUp has provided job-seekers with hope and opportunity. This year, we have worked hard to place 130 individuals into meaningful jobs. Of those 130 individuals, 10 were Veterans, 30 were homeless and 76 have a criminal background. We are on track to reach our goal of 400 job placements by the end of the year.This past June, StepUp graduated a group of employed individuals from the year-long life skills class, where they learned the skills needed to retain employment and sustain their lives.We are looking forward to our partnership with Band Together, which will provide the funding needed to expand to Durham and beyond, we will continue to place individuals in jobs, teach the skills needed for stable living and will celebrate 25 years of transformative service to our community.We StepUp. We Band Together!back to top
Call for nonprofits – applicants
Does your organization have what it takes to partner with Band Together? Is your nonprofit ready to jump on board a life-changing ride, and go to a whole new level of collaboration, awareness and fundraising?Are you ready to make a BIG impact on our community?If so, you NEED to take part in our 2016 nonprofit partner application process. Since 2001, Band Together and our many partners have raised more than $3.5 MILLION for worthy causes in the Triangle. To find out more, you need to join us at our Question and Answer session on July 14, 5:30-7:00 at the Junior League of Raleigh. To save your space, you must RSVP by Friday, July 11 to Matt Strickland.back to top
After Work Socials are being revamped!
It’s the summer, and everyone’s busy. We get it. We also know that it’s hard for a lot of folks to make it out to weekday events. We’ve heard from our BT family, and we’re making some changes.Starting this August, we’re revamping our After Work Socials – changing from a monthly event, usually at a bar and sometimes with music – to a more casual get together, four times a year. And, we’ll always work to link it up with something cool that’s going on nearby, like an outdoor show with live music (and bigger names!).So, mark your calendar for Thursday, August 21, 5:30 – 7:00
- Offices of Troutman Sanders in the BB&T building
- Drinks and snacks and a chance to meet the partner (StepUp), the new co-chairs AND we have some potential big news
- Oak City 7 concert with the Posies (Free) 7:00-until
Our busy bee - Daniel Stark
This year, Band Together was fortunate to get some additional help when we hired Daniel Stark to assist with outreach, awareness and a lot of running around.Daniel is a
n accomplished saxophonist, music educator, and community arts organizer in the Raleigh-Durham area, and he came to Band Together by way of MusicianCorps, which trains and places musicians as teachers, mentors and care workers in public schools, children's and veterans hospitals and other settings where music can reach, teach and heal.Daniel’s activities this year have included:
- “Durham Beat Lab” with CIS Durham
- Work with at-risk students in Durham Public Schools, using music as a tool to help build confidence and strengthen classroom engagement;
- Train students in computer music and hip-hop beatmaking;
- Build Soundcloud and Twitter pages, allowing students to share their work online.
- “Music Matters” at Step Up Ministry
- Teach music and play musical games with kids aged 5-11;
- Provide access to basic music training for children from families experiencing homelessness or unemployment;
- Work with volunteers from Step Up Ministry to offer activities for kids while their parents are in job training courses.
- “Saxy Salvation” at City Market
- Community Outreach / Awareness Building for BT and Step Up;
- Solo saxophone performance provides musical “salvation” for farmer’s market shoppers;
- Maintain a public presence for BT and Step Up in downtown Raleigh.
“Joining with Band Together for The Big Cahoot, Last Band Standing and the Main Event was a fantastic experience,” said Daniel. With Matt’s guidance and approval, I also had the chance to create unique music programs addressing the needs of communities served by our nonprofit partners. My mission as a MusicianCorps Teaching Artist – to use music to reach, teach, and heal – was a valuable asset in bridging the gap between my training as a professional musician, and my work in the community with Band Together. I look forward to continuing work on grassroots music programs in the Triangle next year!”back to top