|
|
|
The start of this year felt like a cocoon stage—full of quiet growth. Our students practiced, made new friends, and shared their music in churches and community events across New Jersey. We’ve welcomed new students, and new volunteers, and now we’re heading into a busy season of performances. None of this would be possible without you—every note they play is because you believe in them. I hope you feel the building excitement as you read this newsletter!
Jee-Hoon Krska, Executive Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Open Mic Night
Coming Home to New Providence
|
Open Mic in New Providence—right where it all started. This is the town where an idea became reality, where the very first volunteers stepped up, and where the New Providence United Methodist Church gave our students a home away from home. Every Friday, they come together there, making music side by side with friends from the suburbs, growing in confidence and connection.
This time, we took the experience to the public at a local coffee shop, inviting our community to step inside and see the magic that happens each week. More than just music, these Fridays are about mentorship, friendship, and expanding horizons.
Café Luna was filled with the warmth of familiar and new faces. It was a night of joyful performances, shared moments, and a reminder that when a community opens its doors, new relationships are born, and opportunities grow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hi again, I'm just going to reintroduce myself, but I'm Sam Huerta. Thank you. And I have been volunteering here for about a year now. I started actually in February of last year. And I'm going to tell a story about the first day that I came and volunteered with Keys. So that first day, I was beyond nervous. I was feeling a very big sense of insecurity at that point. And it really stemmed from these jokes that my dad would make since having grown up in Elizabeth, he would always make fun of me and my brother, since we're from Cranford, saying, oh, you guys lack street smarts, you don't know what anything's actually like. And he was right, but I'm also really grateful to have the privilege of not having too much to worry about in Cranford.
But anyway, I digress. My whole mindset that first day was that I was afraid I'd be labeled as different. And being a teenager, you know, you have that mindset that as soon as you're different from someone else, they're bound to judge you, right? But within those first 15 minutes of arriving at Keys, I completely forgot everything that I was worried about. I met these two girls, one of which is here tonight, Jaziah, and Kalyani and they were the first friends of many that I would make at Keys. They were so friendly and welcoming and we immediately clicked and I knew from then on that Keys was going to be something important. At that point, I thought it was just going to be important for high school and something nice that I did, but now having volunteered here for a year, I've learned is that we're so much more similar than any of us might think. But even that being said, we also have so much that we learn from each other along the way. And really that's what Keys is all about. It's about those connections that really are better for us all. It's not like it's directed at one singular group. Everyone benefits from what Keys does and I really think it's amazing. And everything that I've put into this organization, I've gotten, I don't know how many times more out of it. And I know that I'll carry my experience here with me for the rest of my life. And I'm so grateful for that and all the people here. So, definitely if you're thinking of being involved with Keys, do it because it's it's amazing"
|
Well said Sam! We are grateful for all of our supporters and volunteers, near and far, who have joined us wholeheartedly in this experiment of building a new kind of community - joined together by love through music.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Keys 2 Success is built to last. We refuse to become another nonprofit that burns bright and fades away, left at the mercy of shifting funder priorities, unsustainable workloads, and key staff departures. We are laying the foundation for something that will endure—for our students today and for those who will follow.
Sustainability doesn’t happen by chance—it takes intention and commitment. Over the years, we’ve built a broad and deeply invested donor base, made up of people who give not just generously, but wholeheartedly, as if we are family. Our supporters come from Newark, New Providence, and beyond—reaching across New Jersey, the country, and even the world. They are members of the Junior League, Lions Club, Impact100, and socially-minded churches and communities that share our belief in the power of investing in young lives for the long haul.
For me, the urgency to build something lasting is deeply personal. Maybe it comes from my own childhood—moving across the world at 11, losing my mother at 17. I know what instability feels like. Many of our students live in that same uncertainty. Some are immigrants; others are shuffled between schools due to changing district policies. I think of AJ, now in 5th grade. Her older brother, Shayo, made it—securing a near-full scholarship to a highly selective college because of the mentorship and guidance we provided. But what about AJ? Seven years stand between her and that same opportunity. Who will stand with her? Will we still be here, providing the college tours, the career connections, mentors who will see her as an individual and not just another statistic?
That’s why we invest in continuity. Our multi-site and mobile model ensures that when students move—as so many in the lowest income bracket do—we don’t lose them. We catch them. Our families are pushing them to attend consistently. Our community groups in Newark are opening their doors to us, recognizing that what we bring is rare: a program that meets students where they are and commits to them long-term.
The truth is, what we provide—personalized, high-quality music education and mentorship—shouldn’t be exceptional. It should be standard. The ability to discover and pursue one’s passions with guidance and support is a privilege that many suburban families in New Jersey take for granted. It’s what our children need to thrive, to access top-tier colleges and careers. Our students in Newark have the same drive, the same hunger, the same brilliance as suburban children. The only difference is access. And access is something we can give—if we have the funding to sustain it.
Real change starts with individuals who believe in the power of community. While federal support may fluctuate, it’s people like you who ensure we stay grounded. Just look at AJ. She’s seven years away from the opportunities her brother Shayo had, but with your support, we’ll be right here, walking with her through every challenge, every transition, every step toward her dreams.
Because of you, this is happening. We’re not just getting by—we’re growing. Your belief, your support, your commitment are what make it possible. Thank you for standing with AJ, and with us, every step of the way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
