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Request Summary Students and their collegiate mentors meet for weekly music lessons and <br />mentorship in a community space. Music mentorship enables kids to <br />develop discipline, responsibility, patience, and confidence through learning <br />to play an instrument, practicing regularly, performing for the community, <br />and working one-on-one with their college student mentor to set and <br />achieve their goals. Each chapter hosts an end-of-semester recital for <br />children to perform and share what they learned with their mentor. This <br />event helps children build confidence and grow their social capital with <br />community members. Research shows that learning music builds self- <br />confidence, creativity, and discipline. ME creates a space in which people <br />from diverse backgrounds can learn from each other through music. The <br />need for music education and the arts is increasing outside of the <br />traditional classroom due to funding cuts and societal inequities. ME is a <br />program that not only teaches and mentors youth in the arts but increases <br />access and provides opportunities for children who might not otherwise <br />have them. <br />The national staff is based in Carrboro, NC. Executive Director Kelley <br />Downey and Program Director Katie Battle are two full-time staff members. <br />Kelley works with the Board of Directors to oversee the vision and growth <br />of ME, seeks new chapters and opportunities for expansion, and leads <br />grant writing and fundraising for the organization. Katie is a former Durham <br />Public School Teacher (music, band, orchestra) who provides teaching <br />resources, supports and guides chapter leaders, develops and executes <br />teacher training, manages chapters, and conducts background checks for <br />all mentors. <br />DocuSign Envelope ID: 1CE7D3D4-8880-485E-B217-1C4B1D9CD9B0