Social Issue Track:The Arts as a Catalyst for Change: Transforming People & Communities
Sponsoring Partner: Hunt Alternatives Fund
ZUMIX is an exemplary arts and youth development
organization rooted in the East Boston community. Through
its programs in songwriting, music technology and
instrumental music, ZUMIX inspires and empowers young
people to use music to make positive changes in their lives,
their communities, and their world. With development of its
new building, ZUMIX will establish a permanent home for
youth music in East Boston.
Social Problem:
- One in four East Boston teenagers lives in poverty.
- 40% of East Boston adults over 18 do not have high school diplomas,
compared to 21% for Boston overall.
- East Boston is now the East Coast hub for two California-based
Latino gangs.
- The public schools in East Boston do not have any music programs.
- Only 1% of the City’s cultural and arts programs for youth are located
in East Boston.
- ZUMIX Prospectus 3/30/06 a Root Cause Initiative
Key Accomplishments & Social Impact:
- Started with a budget of $200 out of the founder’s home.
- Served 2,500 children over 15 years.
- 94% of participants say they have improved as artist, songwriter or
technician (2005 program data).
- Selected by the City of Boston through a competitive process to
renovate a neighborhood firehouse in partnership with the East
Boston Community Development Corporation.
- Received the Best Practice Award for “Teen Centered Environment,”
from The Boston Foundation and Boston’s After-School for All
Partnership.
*Executive Director was awarded the “Be the Change” award from Canyon Ranch at 2007 Massachusetts Conference for Women.
*Selected as 2006 Semi-finalist for federal Coming Up Taller Award.
Future Plans:
- Increase total enrollment from 300 to 450 youth per year.
- Launch ZUMIX radio 1630AM on the web.
- Raise $4.1 million to support the development of the firehouse; over $1.2 million has already been committed by the East Boston Community Development Corporation, the Mabel Louise Riley Foundation, individual donors and a recent challenge-grant from the Amelia Peabody Foundation.
- Complete building renovations with an anticipated move-in date of fall 2007.
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Ways to Invest
In-Kind Support
- Developing a staffing plan in anticipation of future program growth
- Writing staff job descriptions and conducting a search
- Developing and implementing a data management and reporting system
- Adding two new board members with event planning and team leadership or facilitation skills.
- Improving impact evaluation measures and methodology
Financial Support
| $50,000 |
Key management staff |
| $25,000 |
2 instrumental music teachers |
| $10,000 |
Music technology upgrades |
| $5,000 |
5 scholarships for the lowest income participants |
| $1,000 |
Music stands and books |
A $200,000 challenge-grant from the Amelia Peabody Foundation will match 1:1 any gifts made to the capital campaign.
Contact Information
Madeline Steczynski
(617) 568-9777
msteczynski@zumix.org
Location
East Boston, MA
Founded
1991
Current Budget
$542,245
Geography & People Served
Low-income youth ages 6-20, with outreach focused on youth ages 12- 16. 70% of participants are from East Boston; youth from other areas ofBoston are also welcome.
Website
www.zumix.org
Madeline Steczynski
Co-Founder and Executive Director
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