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    Harmonikids Session at Guadalupe County Juvenile Detention Center, Seguin, Tx

    20 May, 2019

    On May 3, 2019 I provided a Hohner-sponsored Harmonikids session to over two dozen youth detainees at the Guadalupe County Juvenile Detention Center in Seguin, TX. Such facilities are among my favorite to provide Harmonikids humanitarian services. Sadly, most of these teens are there ultimately as a result of abandonment, neglect, abuse, or violent childhood environments. Their confidence and self-esteem are likely shaken if not shattered – leaving them feeling broken, hopeless, and trapped. In fact, their nervous energy, tension, and apprehension was quite apparent as they were instructed to sit at attention for the session - and within minutes, lessons and music made on harmonicas changed all of that. Harmonikids provides youth such as these a healthy and positive form of creative expression and emotional release in this crucial time in their lives. Simply stated, the lessons often become an inspiration for these adolescents to grow, communicate, change, forgive the world – and themselves. The harmonica often becomes a strong but gentle tool to help kids get back on track. Long ago I learned to never underestimate the power of using music and the harmonica as an extraordinary instrument to reach out and make a difference in young lives. Shelly Cameron, Deputy Chief of Residential Services at the facility provides joyful feedback of the positive benefits received that day below.

    ~ Gary Allegretto, founding director of Harmonikids, www.harmonikids.org

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    Gary Allegretto’s Harmonikids presentation to Guadalupe County Juvenile Services was a big hit! I enjoyed Gary's talent and enthusiasm for his profession as a musician, his love of the harmonica and his passion to share with others. This population of detained youth can be hard to reach and difficult to impress. Gary’s humor, energy and positive message kept the kids and my staff interested. Everyone was delighted to learn something new - and actually play 4 songs on the harmonica! I’m grateful to Harmonikids for reaching and prioritizing at-risk kids at our facility.

    Below is some feedback from a few of the youth detainees and staff…

     

    “He was very talented and had a good message. He told us if we make a mistake to correct it and move on. I was impressed that he was in the movie The Good Dinosaur. I think it was cool that he made time to come teach us about harmonicas.”
    ~ Payton

    “It was something fun and new. I had never played the harmonica before. He was a good teacher because I figured it out pretty quickly.”
    ~ Adrian

    “I think the harmonica program was really good and it was something anybody can do if they try. It helped me by taking my mind off of being locked up. Mr. Gary was funny and entertaining. He signed his autograph to my harmonica case.”
    ~ Tony

    “Awesome program! Thank you for coming and teaching the kids. Hopefully, we can get more people like you to do more presentations. We appreciate it!”
    ~ Juvenile Supervision Officer

    “This was a great experience for the kids to get their mind off of the day to day in Detention. It was great to see some kids stick to it and learn something new.”
    ~ Juvenile Supervision Officer

    “Gary’s Harmonikids program was very refreshing and different. It kept the interest of the youth and the staff!”
    ~ Juvenile Supervision Officer

    ~ Shelly Cameron, Deputy Chief of Residential Services, Guadalupe County Juvenile Detention Center