Music is empowering, and now, young people in Philadelphia have an opportunity to see — and hear — that for themselves.
City officials recently unveiled a new music space for local youth at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center (PJJSC) in West Philadelphia. The music room features a recording studio, dedicated areas for music production, and a stage, which will provide local youth with the resources to learn and create in a collaborative setting, and allow families to attend student performances.
“Music and the arts have the unique ability to inspire, heal, and transform lives,” said Mayor Cherelle Parker. “By investing in spaces like this, we are helping these young individuals express themselves, gain confidence, and build a path toward a brighter future.”
The new music room will host weekly lessons that allows local students an opportunity to create, collaborate, and perform original music. The effort is a collaboration of the city’s Department of Human Services, SixDegrees.org, Rock to the Future, and the McLean Contributionship.
Rock to the Future has offered music programs at the PJJSC since March 2022. What started with 12 students expanded to over 200 youth annually by June 2023. Previously, music classes were held within the living units, where limited space often constrained participation and programming — the space has now been transformed into a vibrant music production, learning, and collaboration hub.
“The young people at the Juvenile Justice Services Center are incredibly talented and motivated,” said Jessica Craft, CEO and Founder of Rock to the Future. “It’s an honor and a necessity to provide these youth with opportunities, hope, and a second chance.”
The music space is the first endeavor of “Ruth’s Room,” a new SixDegrees.org initiative dedicated to Ruth Bacon, mother of Kevin and Michael Bacon of The Bacon Brothers. A devoted educator and justice advocate, Ruth launched a groundbreaking program in the 1980s to connect incarcerated men with their children.
“We’re thrilled to launch this program to honor the legacy of Ruth, a woman who truly led by example in the way she cared for her community,” said Stacy Huston, Executive Director of SixDegrees.org. “Ruth’s example is one of justice and advocacy, and this space will help young people find their voice and build connections that will empower them to make a positive difference in their community.”
“This initiative is about more than just music; it’s about creating pathways to possibility,” added Vanessa Garrett Harley, Chief Deputy Mayor for Social Impact and Strategic Initiatives. “Through this music studio, we are providing a space for young people to create, express themselves, and heal.”
