Building a Foundation Through Music, Mentorship, and Meaningful Connection
In 2024, thanks to a generous grant from Traverse City Golf & Country Club, The Rock of Kingsley was able to expand its thriving youth program – an afterschool sanctuary where children from all walks of life are supported in growing physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and creatively.
Open every scheduled school day, The Rock’s afterschool program offers much more than just a safe space. It’s a hub of transformation where students receive homework help, take part in enriching activities, go on exciting field trips, and most notably, find their voice through music.
Enrollment soared from 101 to 141 students last year, and interest continues to grow. One of the most beloved spaces in the building is the music room, which hums with the energy of budding musicians and curious explorers. Here, students of all backgrounds and abilities find inspiration, joy, and confidence.
One particularly moving story involves a teenage boy diagnosed with autism, who discovered his love for the piano through the program. In a world that can often feel overwhelming, music became his outlet. Day by day, note by note, he began to open up, and what followed was remarkable. Rather than standing apart, his fellow students rallied around him. They listen. They cheer him on. They offer high-fives and encouragement. His music has become a bridge connecting him to a growing circle of friendship, understanding, and belonging.
Thanks to the support of partners like Traverse City Golf & Country Club, The Rock continues to be a place where every child is seen, celebrated, and given the tools to thrive.
