First Coast Cultural Center and Sound Connections® Music Therapy program has successful school year

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. - May 21, 2024 - PRLog -- Donna Guzzo, President and CEO of First Coast Cultural Center announced today the nonprofit organization's Sound Connections® Music Therapy program for children with disabilities had a successful school year serving students in  St. Johns County schools. This year, with the addition of a second Board Certified Music Therapist on staff, the program was able to re-incorporate Cunningham Creek Elementary School in the classrooms. The program added Crookshank Elementary School, a Title 1 school and grew with Early Childhood Services classes at First Coast Technical College (FCTC) from two to four Pre-K classrooms. According to Guzzo, there are currently eight schools receiving the program serving close to 550 students in 54 classrooms. Students work on behavior, social, emotional, academic, reading, and motor goals through evidence-based music interventions.

Funding required to have four St. Augustine Title 1 schools served with the program is $75,000 and $60,000 is needed for Sound Connections to be included at all current schools served.

Sound Connections® is an outreach of the First Coast Cultural Center offered free of charge to students in St Johns County schools for close to 20 years. The program is designed to support students' progress in developing and attaining social, emotional, and academic goals using music interventions. For more information, visit the Sound Connections® website at  https://firstcoastculturalcenter.org/programs-events/soun....

The Cultural Center's new building has formally opened with arts, culture, community activities, and a gift shop at 6000B Sawgrass Village Circle in Ponte Vedra Beach. The two-story, 6,000-square-foot space was funded in part by local donors and an additional support campaign is currently in place. The Center is a place to create, understand, and experience the arts. The organization accomplishes its goals through exhibitions of local, regional and national artists in a variety of media through educational and enlivening events, quality arts classes, lectures, and workshops. Key programs include Sound Connections® Music Therapy for children with disabilities which is offered free of charge to students at St. Johns County schools, and Title I schools which provide additional resources to economically disadvantaged students. Also, Kick StART after school arts enrichment programs and services are available. Visit the website at https://firstcoastculturalcenter.org.