SYMPHONIA Partners for Youth Program

Credit: THE SYMPHONIA

(PRESS RELEASE)_Boca Raton, FL (October 17, 2023)— The SYMPHONIA, South Florida’s premier chamber orchestra, has announced an exciting partnership with Milagro Center in Delray Beach to serve as the new home for the orchestra’s youth outreach program, Virginia and Harvey Kimmel String Orchestra and Self-Esteem Program.
 
Celebrating its 7th year, Virginia and Harvey Kimmel String Orchestra and Self-Esteem Program was conceived to provide children from underserved families with the opportunity to learn to play a string instrument (violin, viola, cello or bass) while developing self-esteem through positive instruction and encouragement. The program’s initiative has deep roots in the notion of social justice and inclusion. The Symphonia was determined to create a free and substantive program that would bring music into the lives of children who would not otherwise, but deserve to, have access to such an opportunity. 

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“The Symphonia recognizes the far-reaching positive impact that music can have on individuals, communities, and most particularly, children,” said Annabel Russell, Executive Director. “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with The Milagro Center. Our missions and visions are so aligned in the kind of opportunities we want to bring to the children we serve, this is the perfect new home for our program.”
 
“We launched the program at Milagro Center a few weeks ago and have already received such enthusiastic feedback from the participating children—ages ranging from elementary through high school. Instrument instruction is provided by professional music educators who are also professional musicians performing with the Symphonia.”
 
Seeded with a grant from the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, Virginia and Harvey KimmelString Orchestra and Self-Esteem Program has received support from the Virginia and Harvey Kimmel Family Fund of the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties as well as other private individuals. In 2018, the program was awarded a prestigious Impact 100 grant.
 
The Milagro Center is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure the social and academic success of children through cultural arts, living values, mentoring and academic support. The Delray Beach-based nonprofit provides after school, summer camp, out-of-school time, and ARTreach programs to underserved and academically-at-risk children, youth, and teens grade K-12 living in South Palm Beach County.