Nick Nurse Foundation Makes $20,000 donation in support of “An Instrument for Every Child”
December 24, 2020
TORONTO – The Nick Nurse Foundation announced Wednesday a $20,000 donation in support of An Instrument for Every Child, a program run by the Hamilton, ON based education charity, Hamilton Music Collective.
Hamilton Music Collective’s signature program An Instrument For Every Child (AIFEC) provides barrier free music lessons to Hamilton youth; from access to instruments, lessons, music therapy, songwriting, music production, and more. The program operates within a network of 14 partner schools, serving over 650 students in the city of Hamilton. AIFEC’s goals are to empower and enable all children to experience the joy and benefits of playing music, regardless of their socio-economic position. As a result of Covid-19, their programming has primarily moved online, with over 300 kids currently enrolled weekly via virtual lessons.
“We are incredibly grateful for this generous gift from the Nick Nurse Foundation. Music helps release anxiety and stress, and this wonderful gift could not have come at a better time,” reacts Hamilton Music Collective’s CEO/Founder, Astrid Hepner, in response to the news. “We are currently preparing to roll out a number of exciting new programs geared towards music and mental wellness and music production in 2021. This financial aid to the program will have an immeasurable impact when we need it most.”
Nick Nurse Foundation Founder and Toronto Raptors head coach, Nick Nurse, is thrilled for his foundation to team up with An Instrument For Every Child to help ensure that kids are getting music lessons this winter. “Once the world gets back to normal, my sincerest hope is that we can get as many of these kids together and I get to hear them play some tunes. My second favourite city in Canada is Hamilton, so I’d love to come down and check it out as soon as we’re able.”
Nick Nurse Foundation board member and Arkells frontman Max Kerman has seen the incredible work that the Hamilton Music Collective has done in his community. “I know from experience that music lessons and access to instruments can be key contributors to a well-rounded, healthy childhood,” says Kerman. “Amidst current social distancing protocols, it’s even more important that we lean in and make sure kids aren’t missing out.”
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About Nick Nurse Foundation
Established in January 2020, The Nick Nurse Foundation provides a pathway to success by empowering children and young adults to achieve their full potential. We do this by creating networks of support for families and communities by motivating our youth and ensuring improved academic opportunities. The Nick Nurse Foundation is dedicated to supporting children and young adults through exposure to resources that contribute to their ability to develop, grow, and succeed in life.
About Hamilton Music Collective
A key initiative of HMC is An Instrument for Every Child, a musical education program that introduces young people, including many disadvantaged children, to creative and improvised music, with instruction provided by professional musicians. AIFEC was founded on the principle that music has the potential to enrich every child’s social, emotional and cognitive development and should be accessible to all children in Hamilton. Support for the program, including the purchase of instruments, is provided through corporate sponsorships and partnerships, community fundraising events and concerts staged by HMC.