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Refresh Collective is a nonprofit that cultivates tomorrow's change-makers through self-expression and skill building in Cleveland and Cincinnati. Our students learn to powerfully express themselves by making music and creating t-shirt designs. Students develop artistic, interpersonal and transferrable employment skills as they write, produce and perform their work. Here are just a few stories to share with you how much impact you make through your support.
No Struggle, No Strength
Destiny started our class unsure if she wanted to stay enrolled in it. In the years prior, she had lost her mother suddenly and was still carrying the weight of the grief on her shoulders. However, because of the trust and relationships built, she quickly found a safe place in our classroom to learn how to healthily feel, process, and regulate her emotions. Destiny was able to learn not only how to use her voice and express herself, but also transferable work skills, self-discipline, and knowledge in the music industry.
Subscribe for MoreSelf-esteem
Dennis, by his own admission, had a severe lack of social skills and confidence when we met him in 9th grade. But through Refresh Collective, Dennis found an outlet and his voice. As someone who has been diagnosed with autism, Dennis made music about his story and struggles—and one of his songs even ended up on the news! Dennis is now a regular performer and established hip-hop artist in Cleveland, and has graduated to the role of a teaching assistant—coming back to MC2 STEM High School in 2023 with Refresh Collective, this time as a teacher.
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