Sparks for Success recently partnered with Austin Achieve schools during their Mental Health Day to help kids with pre-STAAR test anxiety by providing therapeutic, music-based activities. Four classes of children were assigned to participate in Sparks’ “music room” and enjoyed activities from waving scarves, to following the beat of a song using djembes (hand drums), to using their imagination while …

Sparks for Success celebrated World Music Therapy Week from April 10-15, 2023, by recognizing our wonderful music therapists who work with our Sparks kiddos. A few of the skills they teach the students through the use of music are impulse control, turn-taking, identifying and expressing emotions appropriately, and interacting positively with others.

A big thank you to everyone who donated to Sparks for Success! during Amplify Austin 2023! Because of you, Sparks for Success! received a matching donation and is able to help even more kids benefit from music therapy classes! If you missed being able to contribute during Amplify Austin, you can donate here.

The WoodNext Foundation has awarded Sparks for Success! with a generous grant to provide Music Therapy sessions to more children during this school year. The WoodNext Foundation prioritizes the areas of Mental Health and Homelessness that Sparks addresses as we work with our students. All of us at Sparks for Success! are grateful to The WoodNext Foundation for their support …

Thanks to everyone who donated to Sparks’ end of year matching challenge, we were able to receive the matching funds!

Sparks for Success! begins our 7th year working with underserved children. These children suffer from traumas such as family incarceration and homelessness. They often get left behind because they are misunderstood or do not have services aimed at their difficulties. Sparks for Success! provides free Music Therapy, helping our students learn critical life skills and tools for success in school …

Guitar Center Music Foundation awards Sparks for Success! with a generous in-kind grant! Sparks for Success! has been greatly blessed this fall. The Guitar Center Music Foundation awarded Sparks with a generous in-kind grant to supply all the instruments we need for our Music Therapy (MT) sessions. This had been a particularly difficult time due to the pandemic. In the past, Sparks …

NEWS FLASH! Sparks for Success! receives a grant from Learn All The Time!! Learn All The Time (LATT) has blessed our Sparks students with a grant to support Out of School Time into the summer months! Sparks for Success! partners with LATT and the Andy Roddick Foundation who offer support services for the work we do with our students and …

Sparks for Success! Partnership Spotlight Hello all, Lindsay Razzaz here, CIS’ Sr. Director of Strategic Partnerships. With incredible enthusiasm, I want to share a small nonprofit making a mighty impact in our school communities!  Sparks for Success! uses music therapy to promote healing from the traumas of parent incarceration.  Music, an international language, is sometimes the key young children need …