The Ruth D. Anderson Kindermusik Children's Fund provides At Home Materials and/or tuition to children who are physically or emotionally challenged, who are financially or educationally disadvantaged, who have physical disabilities, or who have lost a parent.
Below are notes from Kindermusik educators who received Ruth D. Anderson scholarship funds:
♥ "Yee Ha!! I am so thankful for this gift of materials to use with my class of special needs children. I have worked within my local school system for the past few years on grants from different agencies, but resources are beginning to give out. The kids I work with are in a developmentally delayed class and are often left behind when it comes to resource teachers which is sad because they have so much to offer when given the chance. Many of these kids are speech and language impaired, some are autistic, some are emotional and physically impaired and one has down syndrome. Many are from broken homes, single parent homes, and many have very low incomes. But they are ALL amazing!! The teacher and I are already celebrating and planning for fall. The first biggie is planning an open house where the parents will learn about the great gift of music and how it can help their kids, plus the home material component and how to use them to help them at home – we already have two teacher volunteers and an advocate who will babysit the kiddies so the parents are free to listen (and don’t have excuses!). THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS from the bottom of my heart!! My ECDD kids and I send great big hugs!" (Robin M.)
♥ "I am also very grateful for the Scholarship of Home Materials that my program has been granted. I will be going to Sheltering Wings, a safe home for battered women and their children and doing Family Time classes with them. I can only imagine what some of these children have seen and how so many of these mothers don't know how to mend their hurts. Hopefully, these classes will bring bonding and smiles to both children and the mothers. Thank you from NTC Kindermusik, Inc and from the families that will be receiving the gift." (Laraine H.)
♥ "I was delighted to learn that my applications for assistance from the Ruth Anderson Scholarship Fund have been approved. I can't wait to tell the recipients. My main aim in teaching Kindermusik is to reach those families who can least afford it and thanks to the Fund I am able to do this. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." (Simone M.)
♥ "I have been and continue to work with a group of young mom's who were drug or alcohol abusers while pregnant. The babies are many times preemies and the parents are served by Wake County Human Services Step by Step program. They all love the music classes and I have even done an in-service training for the Step-by-Step Counselors and Project Manager. The clients in the program are given the option of Kindermusik Village classes as one of their rewards for doing well in their program. I occasionally have dad's and grandmother's come as well.
One of the mom's is not able to live with her baby. The grandmother is the caretaker, but in our class grandma is able to leave and come back. This mom is thriving when she is there and really enjoys her baby! I encouraged grandma to stay the last time she came in and she was amazed at the things we did in class.
I do not have permission to take videos and pictures to share as these are social service clients and there is a client privilege clause. I have found these mom's desire to do right by their babies, Occassionally I will have a mom stop coming and it is then I go to their Step-by-Step meeting and make a visit. The counselor who runs the meeting always welcomes my coming and we have also run a demo for new clients to promote the program.
I am looking for alternative funding to assist in keeping the program running but haven't found anything yet. If anyone has ideas please let me know. One idea I have attempted, it may or may not pan out is through www.Ideablob.com Register and vote for my Scholarships for Success - Life Changing Music Classes idea." (Julie Stewart, 2009-2010 Maestro in Outreach. Kindermusik of Clayton (NC), on the web at www.kindermusikofclayton.com and www.kmclayton.wordpress.com)
♥ "I'm so thrilled to be a recipient! For the past few years I have been shouldering the cost of materials for some disadvantaged families. Many thanks to the Ruth Anderson Kindermusik Children's Fund for heeding my request!" (Suzette Y.)
♥ "Aren't we so fortunate to be able to do this for our families? I can't wait to inform some of my families of the gift that they shall be receiving from Kindermusik and Musikids. Here in Australia we will commence Semester 2 in several weeks. I'm really looking forward to yet another term of inspiring our families!" (Kathryn)
♥ "Thank you so much. I am so excited to receive these materials. I look forward to sharing stories and photos throughout next year." (Barb S.)
♥ "Thank you so much for the scholarship! I heard the news today and am so grateful. I cried, laughed and thank you-d my way through the afternoon. I work with impoverished children who are either bilnd, have been through trauma, have been burnt in a fire, are special needs children, are HIV positive or all of the above. These home materials will help us start a little Kindermusik corner at this tiny boarding school." (Catherine Ma - Johannesburg, South Africa: Kindermusik with Cath, on the web at http://www.kmwithcath.co.za)