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Nonprofit hopes to use music to improve health
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Rachel McDevitt/StateImpact Pennsylvania
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(Harrisburg) — A nonprofit that supports music education in the midstate is launching a new project to improve public health through music.
Lancaster’s Music for Everyone started providing instruments to schools and community groups in 2006. The nonprofit’s mission grew over the years to include instruction, summer camps, and instrument repairs.
Founder and executive director John Gerdy said he sees the new initiative, called Music for Everyone’s Well-Being, as a natural progression of their work.
“We think this is the next great frontier in terms of music’s value as a community and societal resource,” Gerdy said.
He said research shows music can be used as an effective healing tool, being incorporated into treatment for ailments from anxiety to dementia to Parkinson’s.
The new program offers up to $5,000 in grants to organizations already using music to improve heath outcomes.
Gerdy said he expects to identify new partnership opportunities through the grant process.
“As we get more grant requests, we’ll be able to figure out, ok, where are the places where we can fill a need? Where are the places that we can make a difference?” he said.
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