How It Works:
Foster youth ages 12-20 choose from a variety of after school music classes and register through the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) SOAR program (after school programming for foster youth). The youth are given all necessary instruments and all related materials for the class. Musicians from the community, who have been approved by DCFS, volunteer to teach the class
es. Classes run for 8-weeks and are offered in both the Spring and Fall. If the youth attend 6 out of the 8 classes, they are allowed to keep their instruments and materials indefinitely. They are also then eligible to participate in the end of the semester performance where each student performs an approved song of their choice. Youth are then eligible to enroll in the next class offered in that particular instrument. How BTMI Began:
Melissa Webber, CEO/Founder of BTMI, realized the need for an after-school music program for foster youth during a visit with some of her clients back in the Spring of 2011. Melissa, an Assistant Public Guardian, works as an attorney for children who end up in foster care due to abuse and/or neglect. While visiting with several clients, three sisters ages, 9,11, and 13, Melissa found out that the eldest girl wanted to learn guitar but had no access to music lessons. It just so happened that Melissa had her guitar in her car that day, and so she brought out her guitar and started showing the girls a few chords. The joy Melissa saw in those girls that day made her realize that she could bring joy to so many other foster youth by bringing them music too!
