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Community outreach isn't a new concept or model that has recently taken place. As a matter of fact, take a look at history! From there, you can infer that it has been around for quite some time. There's been some sort of concept around community service, ever since communities have existed. Yet still some may wonder, what exactly is community outreach and what is it about? Well, it's the work that can impact many different segments of life. One being population and how individual's lives can be improved. When you break everything down and you're left with the basics, community outreach at its core, is to help communities function better.

Right here in the backyards of Detroit, lies The Perry Outreach Center in the community of Southwest Detroit. The outreach center is a resource for people in need who are trying to recover a life that has been impaired through no fault of their own. The Perry Outreach Center said, "For our community, we want to be the stronghold and a refuge in days of distress".

Stability is found in building a well-rounded community, cultivating well-rounded and fulfilling lives. It also includes community programming that addresses the needs of a balanced and productive life. It is this concept that led Perry Outreach Center to host a youth music program.

The Perry Outreach Center's purpose for this music program is to serve as a creative outlet and an experience builder for students. All across the country, we have heard of extracurricular activities, especially music and the arts programs being taken out the schools due to budget cuts. Here is the opportunity we see Perry Outreach Center continues to use to help solve a problem within their own community.

To date, there are over 20 youth participants, who receive hands-on instruction from community members, teachers and musicians. What makes this program so special is that, Marathon Detroit Refinery has partnered with the Perry Outreach Center's Youth Music Program. Their staff are some of the volunteers and they have donated instruments for the children to use. Wanting to support the Perry Outreach Center as a resource center for those in need, the Marathon Oil Refinery aids to drive tangible community change in Southwest Detroit.

There are multiple building blocks to this program. Guitar and keyboard are the options for learning but what makes this program unique and different to the community is that, the children are being taught how to become well-rounded musicians. Not only are they learning how to play the instruments, read and write music but they're also, being taught music history. Ten years ago, this all started out as an after-school program. "Formerly known as the Amistat Reading and Music Program, the program was used to stimulate young students right-brain after minimization of music in arts in in-school curriculums", said The Perry Outreach Center.

Director, Randall Mosley, of the Perry Outreach Center, spoke with the Telegram News. He shared insight on the background of the center and how this program came to existence. Specifically speaking about the Youth Music Program, he said, "there are two, 10-week sessions and one brief session during the summer that is taught. Our instructors are Jordan Mosley, who teaches key board and guitar; Alex Neimira, lead instructor and Tracey Patterson, she teaches keyboard."

The saying, "It's better to give than to receive" for so many individuals through conversations, it's said to be true. One person that can attest to this is Jordan Mosley, who teaches keyboard and guitar for the Perry Outreach. When asked the question, "How do you feel about the youth program, he said, playing for the kids, the most impact makes the kids feel empowered. Using music to breakdown music notation and composition gives the student a well-rounded comprehension, as they are able to play and they find their inner strength that lies within."

Students learning music class, the keys on the keyboards

As a creative and lover of the arts, particularly music, I am a former Detroit music arts student both in band and choir. For many children, it gives the time to create from within, it allows them to find themselves as a person. From K-12, it can be unexplainable at times, the amount positivity that is really gained by being a participant. It gives the students the tools and mindset that is required for every level of life. To have a community like this, it is life changing for many.

Now it's time for parents and school districts to refocus on what is important during the learning process from elementary to high school and that is to bring the Arts back into the curriculum. Fix the school budgets and work together to bring forth a powerful change. Until then, if you live in the Southwest Detroit community, this is a free program. The Marathon Oil Refinery as a major corporation, has attached itself and has become a partner to the Perry Outreach Community. For more information about the Perry Outreach Center or the Youth Music Program call, 313-749-7342 or visit their website at http://www.perryoutreach.org.