Using supportive music to improve the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing of adults and children in need is the mission of Resounding Joy.
The nonprofit agency brings together community- and faith-based organizations to train, equip and mentor volunteers to provide free supportive music and recreational music-making services. Volunteers known as Joy Givers utilize singing, instruments and music therapy techniques to help Joy Receivers, which range from Alzheimer's and AIDS patients to disabled children and infants of teen parents.
The program uses activities and strategies adapted from music therapy practice to provide techniques for volunteers to function as recreational music group leaders and activity assistants to professional music therapists.
“Joy Givers engage Joy Receivers at their own particular levels of functioning in warm, compassionate and caring environments,” said Barbara Reuer, executive director of Resounding Joy.
Reuer has been a practicing music therapist for more than 30 years. The Carlsbad Business Journal sat down with Reuer to discuss the nonprofit in more detail and its work to bring people happiness and health through music.
CBJ: When was the nonprofit founded and what was the inspiration behind it?
Reuer: Resounding Joy was established in 2005. Previously, I was part of a team that received a federal grant in 1994 to design a program to train music therapists to work with older adults. A decade later, I concluded that something more was needed to reach homebound and shut-in people and serve their needs, so I designed a new model that emphasizes the basic tenets of that program while also enlisting the help of faith- and community-based organizations. I found that the new model works with adults, children, individuals and groups.
CBJ: How many people has Resounding Joy served since it was established?
Reuer: Joy Givers have seen more than 8,500 people and served more than 10,000 hours since our inception. Our goal for 2008-09 is to increase the pool of volunteers so that we can double our outreach efforts.
CBJ: Why are the services the organization provides needed?
Reuer: Music has been used in medicine for thousands of years. Music therapy is an established health care profession that uses music to address cognitive, emotional, physical and social needs of individuals of all ages. It differs from other music activities in that the therapist selects interventions that will influence functioning in a desired way to meet treatment goals. Music has a unique power to engage and sustain the attention of patients, and in the hands of a trained therapist, it can accomplish a variety of therapeutic goals and objectives. Research proves that music therapy can alleviate pain, enhance memory, express feelings, improve communication, manage stress, promote physical rehabilitation and promote wellness.
CBJ: Does Resounding Joy train volunteers to be music therapists?
Reuer: No. Music therapists are credentialed. Volunteer Joy Givers learn, first of all, to be good listeners and help Joy Receivers in one-on-one settings and in group environments. Resounding Joy structures Joy Giver training to be supportive and non-musician proof, meaning Joy Givers can't fail, even if they've never learned to read music or play a musical instrument.
CBJ: How do you measure success?
Reuer: That is always an interesting question. How do you measure a smile from a woman who is dying, a hug from a grieving family member or a heartfelt song from a homeless veteran?
CBJ: What needs does the organization have?
Reuer: We need volunteers with many different skills and interests. We need Joy Givers, administrative support, graphic artists, printing services, legal advice, fundraising expertise, corporate sponsors and donations for our programs. We also will be looking for office space in 2009.
CBJ: What do you see for the future of the nonprofit?
Reuer: We are looking to expand our adult and junior Joy Giver programs by facilitating more partnerships between schools, skilled nursing facilities and businesses. We are in the process of licensing our training programs so that other organizations can sponsor our programs throughout the country. We also want to tailor our programs to the needs of military personnel to provide specialized programs for those with spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. We would like to initiate more large-scale outreach programs, like our Healing Hearts program in Cambodia.
Resounding Joy:
3830 Valley Centre Drive, Ste. 705, San Diego
(866) 800-0197
www.resoundingjoyinc.org
The nonprofit agency brings together community- and faith-based organizations to train, equip and mentor volunteers to provide free supportive music and recreational music-making services. Volunteers known as Joy Givers utilize singing, instruments and music therapy techniques to help Joy Receivers, which range from Alzheimer's and AIDS patients to disabled children and infants of teen parents.
The program uses activities and strategies adapted from music therapy practice to provide techniques for volunteers to function as recreational music group leaders and activity assistants to professional music therapists.
“Joy Givers engage Joy Receivers at their own particular levels of functioning in warm, compassionate and caring environments,” said Barbara Reuer, executive director of Resounding Joy.
Reuer has been a practicing music therapist for more than 30 years. The Carlsbad Business Journal sat down with Reuer to discuss the nonprofit in more detail and its work to bring people happiness and health through music.
CBJ: When was the nonprofit founded and what was the inspiration behind it?
Reuer: Resounding Joy was established in 2005. Previously, I was part of a team that received a federal grant in 1994 to design a program to train music therapists to work with older adults. A decade later, I concluded that something more was needed to reach homebound and shut-in people and serve their needs, so I designed a new model that emphasizes the basic tenets of that program while also enlisting the help of faith- and community-based organizations. I found that the new model works with adults, children, individuals and groups.
CBJ: How many people has Resounding Joy served since it was established?
Reuer: Joy Givers have seen more than 8,500 people and served more than 10,000 hours since our inception. Our goal for 2008-09 is to increase the pool of volunteers so that we can double our outreach efforts.
CBJ: Why are the services the organization provides needed?
Reuer: Music has been used in medicine for thousands of years. Music therapy is an established health care profession that uses music to address cognitive, emotional, physical and social needs of individuals of all ages. It differs from other music activities in that the therapist selects interventions that will influence functioning in a desired way to meet treatment goals. Music has a unique power to engage and sustain the attention of patients, and in the hands of a trained therapist, it can accomplish a variety of therapeutic goals and objectives. Research proves that music therapy can alleviate pain, enhance memory, express feelings, improve communication, manage stress, promote physical rehabilitation and promote wellness.
CBJ: Does Resounding Joy train volunteers to be music therapists?
Reuer: No. Music therapists are credentialed. Volunteer Joy Givers learn, first of all, to be good listeners and help Joy Receivers in one-on-one settings and in group environments. Resounding Joy structures Joy Giver training to be supportive and non-musician proof, meaning Joy Givers can't fail, even if they've never learned to read music or play a musical instrument.
CBJ: How do you measure success?
Reuer: That is always an interesting question. How do you measure a smile from a woman who is dying, a hug from a grieving family member or a heartfelt song from a homeless veteran?
CBJ: What needs does the organization have?
Reuer: We need volunteers with many different skills and interests. We need Joy Givers, administrative support, graphic artists, printing services, legal advice, fundraising expertise, corporate sponsors and donations for our programs. We also will be looking for office space in 2009.
CBJ: What do you see for the future of the nonprofit?
Reuer: We are looking to expand our adult and junior Joy Giver programs by facilitating more partnerships between schools, skilled nursing facilities and businesses. We are in the process of licensing our training programs so that other organizations can sponsor our programs throughout the country. We also want to tailor our programs to the needs of military personnel to provide specialized programs for those with spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. We would like to initiate more large-scale outreach programs, like our Healing Hearts program in Cambodia.
Resounding Joy:
3830 Valley Centre Drive, Ste. 705, San Diego
(866) 800-0197
www.resoundingjoyinc.org