Hot Off The Press: Asbury Park Music Foundation Grantee Update

Asbury Park Music Foundation Beat Bus

We are so excited to share this update from the 2019 Grant Recipient Asbury Park Music Foundation with you all! It is incredible how much they’ve accomplished so far with their Impact grant despite the very challenging circumstances.

The APMF #BeatBus is our mobile classroom; since schools have been closed and classes have become virtual, our students are learning differently, but they’re still ‘on board,’ even if we can’t be there with them in person.

While the program launched a month behind schedule due to more logistical requirements than anticipated and slower hiring of additional staff due to delayed background checks due to COVID, it quickly accelerated once launched and they even completed one creative project planned for 6 weeks in less than two weeks!

As Program Director Ryan Gaumond shared, “while we initially planned on rolling out remote learning in the later development of the program, COVID-19 has since pushed us to quickly start integrating blended learning practices immediately. This challenge has turned into a huge advantage for our program. Engaging students in remote collaborative projects is helping to minimize feelings of isolation and alleviate the stress caused by COVID.”

Check out this impressive list of accomplishments made possible thanks to Impact funding you all awarded!

  • Students received a standing ovation at the Paramount Theater for their “We Are Rising” Video/Live Production, which reached +1500 audience members. The collaboration project with the AP schools for Black History Month featured:
    –  Historical Lesson of Asbury Riots
    –  Collaborative, student-created musical composition across schools
    –  Field trip recording session at Lakehouse Recording Studio
    –  Hands-on music video shoots, including an on-location field trip to Asbury Lanes
  • Tribute to Class of 2020: Students completed a graduation video and are in the development of APMF’s first virtual music production. This video is one example of a student project that evolved due to COVID. Asbury Park High School was planning a virtual graduation and wanted to present a tribute to its students through media. Following is the URL of the student-produced video created for the community.

Watch the tribute here!

 

  • Project-Based Curriculum has been developed. Accelerated the expansion of the program’s curriculum to include more topics such as Virtual Reality, 3.D. modeling, Augmented Reality, and Interactive Design. This expansion into new technologies was originally anticipated for year 2 but was accelerated into the program given the challenge of teaching audio tech, which is hard to do virtually and was originally intended to support live music performances.
  • Audio, Video, Technology & Classroom equipment has been purchased. COVID has put a halt on some aspects of the intended programming, however, students are back in the classroom and are also being encouraged to work on project deliverables outside of class time, while offered remote support by their instructors.
  • The Asbury Park Music Foundation space has been redesigned including room painted and modular workstations installed. Both APMF and Boys and Girls Club are ready to host classes when social distancing rules are scaled back.
  • Professional volunteers have been identified at key businesses in Asbury Park to integrate into project-based lessons. In response to restrictions due to COVID, local musicians are being integrated into online collaboration projects.
  • Student recruitment goals have already been surpassed! A collaboration with the AP schools attracted a large base of 20 students who were onboarded into projects prior to COVID and further outreach is now underway thanks to the transition to online learning (an additional 10 students to date).
  • Wonderful World Project: With the reopening of the APMF space last month, their Music Business & Technology program is now being offered both virtually and in-person! They’re able to offer the program thanks to the grant that they received from Impact 100 Jersey Coast earlier this year! WATCH NOW!

Karen Harris: Member in the Moment

Meet Impact 100 Jersey Coast Member Karen Harris

By Janet Mazur Cavano

Karen HarrisMeet Karen Harris
Many of our members don’t just volunteer their time with us. Some become involved with local non-profits they’re led to through their work at Impact 100 Jersey Coast. This is exactly what happened with Karen Harris. On a site visit to Horizons, an organization offering summer enrichment programs to underprivileged children, she witnessed a joyful scene.

“The kids were so happy and engaged and getting exposed to so many things – building boats, learning to swim, visiting museums,” Harris recalled. “Horizons gives these children experiences they would never have.”

Helping Horizons
Impressed with what she saw, Harris was determined to do something more. So, she introduced Horizon’s director to the president of Christian Brothers Academy (CBA), where her son was a student. Her hope was that the two could forge a connection.

Since then, CBA’s Lincroft campus has become another site for Horizon’s programs and also supplies volunteers. Harris describes this “a beautiful thing that joins two communities together.” Likewise, Harris has donated cruises on her 40-ft sailboat, Cigne, to Horizons during fund-raising campaigns.

Taking Horizon families on cruises, she said, “were some of the best sails I’ve had all year! It was incredible to do that and raise money. The families were just terrific and the kids kept calling me ‘Captain.’

180  Turning Lives Around
Her community involvement doesn’t stop there. For the last ten years, Harris has given her time to 180 Turning Lives Around, Monmouth county’s anti-domestic violence organization and the recipient of Impact 100 JC’s inaugural grant.

The organization hits home. As a survivor of domestic violence who left an abusive marriage 18 years ago, Harris felt it was imperative to empower other women. To demonstrate firsthand that a woman can go on to lead a healthy, fulfilling, violence-free existence.

Interestingly, she reports receiving far fewer crisis calls while volunteering during the pandemic. This bears out with national statistics, which indicate a drop in calls for help, but not necessarily a drop in abuse cases.

“We know this is because they’re stuck in a house with their abuser,” Harris said. “When all this lifts, (the Pandemic) we’ll see a tremendous amount of revelation. It’s been too quiet.”

To clarify, 180’s services are still very much available. While the hospital and police in-person accompaniment have been suspended, survivors will still have the opportunity to connect with an advocate on the phone. Likewise, the hotline is still staffed round the clock. (see details below)

To a woman reading this who may be experiencing domestic or sexual violence, Harris offers these words: “One in four women are victims,” she said. “But remember, It’s not you! It’s the poor choices your perpetrator is making. And there IS help!”

To further benefit 180, Harris will again participate in the 16th annual Ms. Race, an all-women sailing regatta that takes place August 22 and is hosted by the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club. Not only does the event raise money but also, heightens awareness for women in the sport of sailing, which has traditionally been dominated by men.

“It’s all about empowering women – that’s the common thread,” she added.

Harris lives in Red Bank and owns a recruiting company, Targeted Talent. She has been an Impact member for the last three years.

 


 

You can immediately reach 180’s hotlines for 24/7 support as follows:

Domestic Violence: 1-888-843-9262
Sexual Violence: 1-888-264-RAPE
2nd Floor Youth Call and Text Helpline: 1-888-222-2228
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1.800.799.7233