PHILADELPHIA—Rock to the Future has unveiled an expansion of music programming with the renovation of a dedicated music space for youth who have been ordered by the court to be held at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center (PJJSC) in West Philadelphia. This was possible due to partners/funders SixDegrees.org(a 501c3 founded by Kevin Bacon), The McLean Contributionship, His & Her Interiors and local artist Wendy Medley. Rapper Meek Mill also donated studio gear for the students to use. This new music room, set to open in early 2025, will provide justice-involved teens with weekly lessons that give them the opportunity to create, collaborate, and perform original music while developing essential life skills and fostering personal growth. The space will feature a recording booth, dedicated areas for music production, and a stage, which will provide youth with the resources to learn, create in a collaborative setting, and allow families to attend student performances. The music space is the first endeavor of “Ruth’s Room,” a new SixDegrees.org initiative dedicated to Ruth Bacon, mother of Kevin and Michael Bacon. A devoted educator and justice advocate, Ruth launched a groundbreaking program in the 1980s to connect incarcerated men with their children.
“The young people at the Juvenile Justice Services Center are incredibly talented and motivated,” said Jessica Craft, CEO and Founder of Rock to the Future. “It’s an honor and a necessity to provide these youth with opportunities, hope, and a second chance—to ensure their entire humanity is recognized in a world quick to label them. I’m excited to collaborate with so many amazing partners to create a space that will promote joy and peer collaboration and foster family engagement.”
Since March 2022, Rock to the Future has offered music programs at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center (PJJSC), starting with just 15 students. By June 2023, the program had grown to serve 200+ youth annually. Prior to the creation of the music room, students participated in music classes within their living units, where space is limited, and their access to broader programming is sometimes restricted. In response to these challenges, Rock to the Future has worked to identify and transform a space that will serve as a hub for music production, classes, and showcases.
This new project will serve as a key tool in supporting long-term positive outcomes for participants, including improved mental health, connection to peers, family engagement by allowing families to attend student performances, support with transition upon re-entry and pathways to professional careers.
