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Kids In A New Groove

2906 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX, 78704
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Phone: (512) 596-5441
Contact Email: Laura@kidsinanewgroove.org
Website: www.kidsinanewgroove.org
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 Our mission is to provide Central Texas children living in foster care with a committed one-on-one mentoring relationship through private music instruction. We provide youth in foster care with mentorship through the delivery of free, in-home music lessons.

 

OUR STORY

KING was founded in 2004 as Kids in New Digs, and intended to provide donated clothing to kids in the foster care system. As a felony prosecutor in Travis County, founder Karyn Scott wanted to do something meaningful to help the vulnerable kids she saw each day in the courtroom. After realizing that donated clothing would not make a lasting difference in each child’s life, the organization changed its name and mission in 2009 to reflect its ambitions: to enrich and enhance the lives of foster kids and to help them “age out” of the program with at least one solid adult relationship, a set of learned skills, and a sense of self-worth.


More than 500,000 American children are in foster care. Kids generally go into foster care because their options have run out due to unrelenting abuse or neglect within the home; this abuse can have negative long-term consequences that follow children throughout their lives. Kids in a New Groove seeks to change that. Programs such as Education through Music have shown that providing music to disadvantaged youths increased math scores by 82% and language arts scores by as much as 54%. But recent studies have shown that there are even bigger long-term mental and physical health payoffs when foster-care services to children, such as music instruction, are enhanced. The arts can be a safe haven for kids who lack stability in their lives, providing motivation, stimulation, and instilling a sense of confidence and achievement. Join us in our mission to help these valuable kids bloom with music.

 

  

Q&A

In what regions does Kids in a New Groove serve? Kids in a New Groove serves youth in Central Texas. Please contact Program Coordinator Laura Wood at laura@kidsinanewgroove.org for more information. 

Does a child have to be in foster care?  Yes. The child has to be either actively in the foster care system, or recently discharged and put back into a permanent placement.

How are children accepted into the program?  A child can apply through a CPS caseworker, a foster parent or biological parent, or another volunteer, such as a CASA volunteer, who is involved in working with the child.

What is the age limit?  We currently provide lessons for youth in foster care that are ages 5 and older.

What type of lessons are available? We can find instructors for any type of lesson, such as voice, piano, drums, and guitar.

Are teachers background checked? Yes, all instructors have been thoroughly background checked.

Are lessons in the child’s home, or at a central location?  Lessons are located in-home, although we can also arrange for lessons to be at a central location depending on transportation and availability.

What is the intake process?  The adult submitting the child needs to fill out an intake form, available here. We can fax or mail a form to those who do not have internet access.  After we receive the intake form, we proceed to match the student with a teacher and set up the lesson based on the child’s and teacher’s availability.

How long do the lessons last?  Lessons are typically 30 minutes long, but it depends on the type of lesson and the age of the child.

How long can a child stay in the program? A child can stay in the program as long as the teacher and child are finding the lessons productive.

Does my child have to have their own instrument?  No.  Kids in a New Groove provides a rental instrument if the child does not have one. If the child is progressing and meeting goals, students have an opportunity to earn their very own instrument.

Does my child have to have musical ability?  No. Your child just needs to have the desire to take, and that’s it!

Are lessons free?  Yes, they are absolutely free!

Are teachers paid? We are moving towards a total volunteer-based music teacher program.

 

 

 

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Become a KING Music Teacher

 Tell us a little about yourself!

 

 

 

 

GET INVOLVED

Thank you for your support! Our life changing program seeks to change the grim statistics on youth in foster care. With your support, we are not only able to provide our students with music lessons and instruments, but also with mentors that help build life skills through the power of music education. Join our mailing list and stay up to date with Kids in a New Groove!

DONATE AN INSTRUMENT

We are always looking for new and used instruments, music stands, tuners and/or metronomes, and guitar cases. Please contact: laura@kidsinanewgroove.org for more information.

VOLUNTEER

Kids in a New Groove is always looking for passionate individuals who care about making a difference for Texas youth in care. Interested? Tell us a little about yourself!

 

DONATE 

Please consider giving to Kids in a New Groove! Donating via IATS is safe and secure, guaranteeing that KING can continue to change the lives of Texas youth in foster care through private music lessons and mentorship. Kids in a New Groove is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which means that all donations are tax deductible. Donate Here

 

 YOUR GIFT WILL PROVIDE: