We had the joy and privilege of hosting a concert in HMP Low Newton, a women’s prison in The North East of England. WOW, the place was rockin’!!! Being able to engage people in this environment is not always easy but these guys nailed it. A journey through all emotions, loads of laughter, tears and most of all - JOY. One prisoner said - thank you, it was so good to escape. When I closed my eyes, I was in a different place, transported by the beautiful words and music.

— Anth Dent - Managing Chaplain, HMP Low-Newton

The residents of the Hendersonville Rescue Mission really enjoy A.T. and Lauren’s visits. Every time I tell them, “It’s the music couple tonight,” they get very excited. The dorm definitely switches to a better vibe after the music chapel. I believe the songs are nurturing to their souls. The fact that someone comes to play and sing for them makes them feel special and important. That means a lot to the residents here.

Wing Ting Chan - Women’s Supervisor, Hendersonville Rescue Mission

Current Programs

• Music at Hendersonville Rescue Mission, Second Wednesdays of each month

• Monthly music sessions at Veteran’s Restoration Quarters, Asheville, NC

• Singing For Seniors - Groups of 15 singers make monthly visits to local assisted living facilities to sing folk & spiritual songs for the residents and workers in Hendersonville, NC. Beginning in August. If you are interested in joining in with this program, please email FortheFolkNC@gmail.com to sign up.

• Summer guitar, piano, and creative writing camp, Tuesday mornings in July and August at Black Mountain Home for Children, Black Mountain, NC

• Sit & Knit -Third Wednesday of each month at Oklawaha Brewing, Hendersonville, NC 7-9pm. Free and open to anyone who is interested in learning to knit, teaching others how to knit, or working on projects in a low-key social setting. There will be a monthly pattern available for items that can be donated to charity. Knitting supplies are always available at no cost to participants.

• The Art of Budget-Friendly Cooking at Hendersonville Rescue Mission, bi-monthly starting in April

Past Programs

• Therapeutic Music Session at the Children & Family Resource Center Employee Retreat, May 19, Hendersonville, NC

• Free House Concert for parents at The Family Place in Brevard, NC on Friday, April 10

• Christmas Eve Caroling at Veterans Restoration Quarters, Asheville, NC

• Songwriting, poetry, and music workshops at Serenity Place, Greenville, SC

• Concerts in homeless shelters such as Hendersonville Rescue Mission, Hendersonville, NC, Greenville Rescue Mission, Greenville, SC, and Triune Mercy Center, Greenville, SC

• Concerts in prison chapels across England (HMP Frankland, HMP Low Newton, HMP Deerbolt, HMP Wakefield, HMP Chelmsford, HMP Ranby)

• Songwriting workshops at Greenville Juvenile Detention Center, Greenville, SC

• In-home concerts for patients on hospice care

• Music for residents of senior living centers

• Music and arts workshops for children of migrant workers in Upstate, SC in partnership with Applied Theatre Center

• Music workshops through The Art Place for Asylum Seekers and Refugees living in Chelmsford, England

• Knitting groups that build community and create items for those in need in Chelmsford, England and Hendersonville, NC

• Creative writing, music, art, and storytelling workshops with special needs adults in Hendersonville, NC and Chelmsford, England