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Published on January 31, 2025
Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Center Unveils State-of-the-Art Music Studio for Youth EmpowermentSource: City of Philadelphia

The city of Philadelphia has recently marked a significant milestone in juvenile services with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art music studio at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center (PJJSC), according to a press release from the City of Philadelphia. The center, situated in West Philadelphia, hosted the ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday, a result of a concerted effort between the Department of Human Services and several community partners including SixDegrees.org, Rock to the Future, and the McLean Contributionship.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, expressing her thoughts on the project, emphasized its importance for youth empowerment, "This new music studio reflects our unwavering dedication to empowering every young person in Philadelphia," as reported in a city statement. The new facility offers weekly music lessons, allowing participants to engage in music production, collaboration, and performance, thereby supporting their personal and artistic development.

Vanessa Garrett Harley, Chief Deputy Mayor for Social Impact and Strategic Initiatives shared her insights on the greater significance of the initiative. "This initiative is about more than just music; it’s about creating pathways to possibility," she told the City of Philadelphia. The music studio aims to serve as a therapeutic space for self-expression and healing for young people involved with the justice system.

Anchored by Rock to the Future, a non-profit that has been providing music programs at PJJSC since March 2022, the project has grown from serving a dozen students to over 200 annually by June 2023. Jessica Craft, CEO and Founder of Rock to the Future, expressed her commitment to the center's residents, "The young people at the Juvenile Justice Services Center are incredibly talented and motivated," she explained, according to a city release. Craft highlighted the importance of recognizing and nurturing the talents of these individuals in a society that can be too quick to judge.

This initiative also serves as the launch pad for "Ruth's Room," a new SixDegrees.org project honoring Ruth Bacon, an educator and justice advocate known for her efforts to connect incarcerated parents with their children. "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," said Stacy Huston, Executive Director of SixDegrees.org, in a moment captured during the event and mentioned in a city announcement.