Passing along a call for help from friend to the blog, DJ Phatrick... SESSIONS LA is a music writing, production, recording, & DJing program for youth and young adults. Its mission is to promote youth development and nurture critical thinking through the process of creating music.
SESSIONS started at the Search To Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) Community Center in Historic Pilipinotown, Los Angeles six years ago. Not only does the program provide a space for young folks to create, it also empowers them to be independent thinkers and provides them with real job skills.
Unfortunately, SESSIONS is the latest victim of the recession. As of October 1, they no longer have any funding. So in order to keep this important work going without interruption, they're putting a call out to the community, asking folks to help through the Save Sessions LA! IndieGoGo campaign. Check it out:
Here are some more details about what they need, why they need it, and what you can do to help:
WHY DO WE NEED YOUR HELP?The goal is to raise $15,000, the amount they need to cover instructor costs for the school year. To make a pledge, and to learn about all the fabulous thank you gifts you can receive, go to the IndieGoGo campaign page here. And to learn more about SESSIONS LA and the work they're doing, go here.
Sessions has been funded by a multi-year grant from the California Consumer Protection Fund. This source of funding, however, has come to an end and cannot be renewed. As of October 1st 2011, Sessions LA no longer has the financial means to continue its programming. With your support Session LA will be able to continue providing its programming without interruption until we find funds to support us long-term.
WHAT DO WE NEED?
We need to raise $15,000 by December 9th, 2011.
The $15,000 will provide funding for 2 instructors and 2 TA's (Sessions LA graduates) for the 2011-2012 school year. If we exceed our goal, the extra funds will help acquire much needed equipment upgrades and help sustain the monthly all-ages concert & open mic we organize called FREESTYLE FRIDAYS. Watch performances from past Freestyle Fridays HERE.
If we do not reach this goal, we will have to suspend programming until we have the resources to resume.
WHAT DO YOU GET?
Besides the personal satisfaction of knowing you saved a valuable music education and youth development program, we also offer multiple-level sponsorship perks! Check out the Perks section for more information.
Also, Sessions LA is a partnership with SIPA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. That means, for US residents, your donation is tax-deductible!