Coming later
Mommy & Me
A gentle introduction to music and making for our youngest children alongside a caregiver.
Programs
Four paths to healing and confidence
Every Heartstrings program is free, for children and teens ages 5–20. Our work is built on four pillars, and what we offer in each grows as our volunteer instructors join us.
Ages 5–20
Music and Voice
Through piano, guitar, voice, drums, and songwriting, children find a way to express what words cannot always reach. Even before they can talk about what they have lived through, they can play it, and begin to let it out.
Lessons meet each child where they are, from a first time at the keys to a teenager writing their own songs.
- Piano
- Guitar
- Ukulele
- Voice
- Drums & rhythm
- Songwriting & poetry
Ages 5–20
Visual Art and Creativity
Painting, drawing, ceramics, and mixed media give children a hands-on way to process their experiences and discover what they can make. Finishing something they made themselves is often the first step toward believing in what else they can do.
Younger children start with simple projects they can finish in an hour; older students go deeper into the craft.
- Painting & drawing
- Watercolors
- Ceramics
- Mixed media
- Screen printing
- Sculpture & whittling
Children arrive to a calm, welcoming space. They are greeted by name. They choose their creative path for the day. What they all share is the experience of being seen, supported, and free to explore without judgment.
The Heartstrings experience
Ages 16 and up
Life Skills
For older teens, life skills build the confidence and practical know-how that open doors. Barista training, baking, woodworking, and service projects sit alongside real job-readiness skills.
Guest professionals help young people learn to write a resume, prepare for an interview, manage money, and open a bank account: the everyday steps toward independence.
- Barista training
- Baking
- Woodworking
- Resumes & interviews
- Money management
- Service projects
Ages 5–20
Mentorship & Community
Woven through every program are caring, consistent adults who show up. One-on-one mentorship and peer connection give children the steady relationships that help them learn to trust again.
For many of the young people we serve, knowing that someone believes in them is what changes everything.
- One-on-one mentoring
- Peer connection
- Caring, consistent adults
Coming later
A few programs are still on the way. If one sounds right for your family, join the waitlist below and we'll let you know when it opens.
Coming later
Creative Adults, 55+
Watercolor, gentle movement, and community for older adults during school hours.
Join the waitlist
A few programs are still on the way. Leave your name and we'll let you know the moment one opens.
There's a place for you here.
Volunteer your time, give to fund free programs, or refer a child who needs a safe place to land.