Contact: Scott Coppenbarger FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(954) 205-0178
scott@genesiskids.com
MUSIC FOR THE MIND: THE GENESIS PROJECT TO PROVIDE MUSIC THERAPY
Boys who have been abused or neglected to receive therapeutic support through music in a behavioral health care setting
AUG. 3, 2023 - JONES, OKLA – The Genesis Project has announced a new music therapy program for boys ages six to 12 who have been abused and neglected. The residential treatment facility received two grants to launch a pilot program that will complement the facility’s multi-disciplinary approach to behavioral health care.
“Music is the universal language,” said Scott Coppenbarger, executive director. “We try to reach our boys in a number of different ways, and evidence shows it can be a powerful therapeutic tool.”
The lead grant provided by Kirkpatrick Family Fund was shortly followed by a second grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma. These grants will begin initial funding to hire a licensed music therapist and purchase instruments for the program.
According to the American Music Therapy Association, music is processed and produced through a different pathway than verbal speech. It taps into a primal sense of rhythm that we all possess. Music therapy empowers children to engage in self-reflection, foster social and communication skills by making music with peers, identify how their thoughts and feelings influence behaviors, choices, and identity development, and learn to self-regulate and develop healthy coping skills.
Music therapy exercises will allow the therapist and client to explore the psychological, familial, social, cultural, and spiritual components of the person’s inner world. The boys do not need to have any musical training or talent; the practice does not focus on technical skills but employs music as a tool for reflection and communication.
“A trauma-informed environment promotes relationship-building, which leads to trust and then breakthroughs as boys begin to understand their anger, confusion, and other emotions. We hope the music will bring out possibilities and a greater understanding of themselves,” Coppenbarger said.
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Coppenbarger said the music therapist will coordinate with the multi-disciplinary team including the program therapist and recreational coordinator to ensure therapeutic and life skills goals are aligned and communicated to other Genesis team members, who will reinforce concepts and approaches.
“We are excited to begin the building process,” he said. “We couldn’t do this without our partnerships with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma and Kirkpatrick Family Fund. We are so thankful they share our commitment to improving the health and wellness of the boys. I can’t wait to share the success stories of this program along the way.”
The music therapy program aligns with program initiatives of Kirkpatrick Family Fund including focuses on human services, health, arts, culture, and humanities.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma provided a Blue Impact Grant as part of their community investment strategy focused on the social determinants of health. As part of that strategy, they are focused on helping close gaps in behavioral health care so that more Oklahomans can achieve optimal health outcomes.
“Through our new Blue Impact initiative, we are focused on improving the health of Oklahomans through investments in innovative work that is happening around the state. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is happy to support this unique program at the Genesis Project, which will impact the young boys who very much deserve the special support they receive in this residential treatment setting,” said Brooke Townsend, Director of Community Affairs.
Coppenbarger says the program still needs additional support to operate at its ideal potential. He hopes others will join this mission opportunity so the boys can take full advantage of the many opportunities that music therapy provides.
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ABOUT THE GENESIS PROJECT
Located in Northeast Oklahoma City near Edmond and Jones, Oklahoma, The Genesis Project strives to provide the highest quality residential services and trauma-informed treatment to abused and neglected boys, ages six – 12, entrusted to us by the State of Oklahoma. Genesis is committed to providing our youth with the tools necessary to return to the community in the most effective and successful way possible. For more information, please visit www.genesiskids.com or our Facebook page.
ABOUT KIRKPATRICK FAMILY FUND
The Kirkpatrick Family Fund is an Oklahoma City philanthropy started in 1989 by John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick and is the largest affiliated fund in the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. The mission of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund is to invest in ideas, leadership, and programs that contribute to and advance the cultural, intellectual, and societal interests of our community. The Kirkpatrick Family Fund is guided by the values of Integrity, Leadership, and Innovation; it accomplishes its mission by supporting organizations with bold, capable leadership and programs that are effective in addressing community needs.
ABOUT BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF OKLAHOMA
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is the only statewide customer-owned health insurer in Oklahoma. We believe Oklahoma consumers and employers deserve the best of both worlds: access to affordable, quality health care and top-notch service from a company that focuses solely on customers, not shareholders. Customer value is our cornerstone. We are proud of the work we have done within our communities by helping to change the way we all live. Thanks to our more than 800,000 members, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is able to focus on the health issues that impact our members as well as all Oklahomans.
