After 9 years Beyond the Bars is having our first ever Gala to support the amazing work that our students are doing across the city! Click the button below and video below to learn more!

Our 2023-24 Impact Report

Who we are:

Beyond the Bars is a 501c3 student driven and community based music and resource connection program that is dedicated to interrupting the cycles of violence and divestment in Philadelphia. We work with youth ranging from middle to high school who have been impacted by violence to help them realize the talented musicians and leaders that they are. With our partners and student leaders we have built over 45 music labs throughout the city that meet youth wherever they are at and bring them into a supportive community and provide a platform for their leadership.

Combating Systemic Problems with Systemic Solutions: Creating an Ecosystem of Support with our Amazing Partners

The challenges that face our community are systemic and are deeply intertwined. Whether it is housing or food insecurity, economic and educational divestment, exposure to violence or trauma without mental health supports, the problems that face our city are substantial and connect with each other. As a result no one organization acting alone will be able to make a significant impact alone. BTB works with over 50 incredible community based organizations to create and ecosystem of support model that meets youth wherever they are at (shelters, trauma clinics, foster care, rec centers, community hubs etc) provides musical programming and connects youth to the resources and work of our amazing community. To learn more about our Ecosystem of Support Model click here: To learn more about our incredible partners and of the amazing work that they do in our city click here:

Working to Interrupt the School to Prison Pipeline at Every Phase of the Pipeline

Beyond the Bars work to combat problems facing our community such as divestment, mass incarceration and the impacts of trauma by working to build safe and accessible music programs throughout our neighborhoods where students can learn to be songwriters and express their emotions. We offer programs at every phase of the school to prison pipeline by offering: Community Based Programs, Diversion Programs and Programs for Youth who are currently Incarcerated. To learn more about how we work to interrupt the pipeline click here.

Beyond the Bars is where I can feel myself and express myself the way I want to.

Student 16

Student Centric and Community Based Approach

Our city’s youth are incredibly talented and and brilliant young leaders. As a result Beyond the Bars is built in conjunction with student voice and guidance. Curriculums are built with our students to specifically cater to their interests and making sure that their goals are being accomplished. Furthermore we work to create pathways where our students can grow to be teachers for the next generation.

Curriculums are additionally built in conjunction with teachers from the community who have gone on to be successful within the industry and can serve as facilitators with our students’ growth. Beyond the Bars is built around community and Philadelphia has no shortage of amazing leaders.

Our program uses music as means of helping our youth express themselves in positive ways, build up their self efficacy and engage in self exploration in regards to future careers. Whether they are forming bands and performing shows throughout the city, or recording and producing their original beats Beyond the Bars works to provide a range opportunities for students to express their emotions in a positive way. What began as a program that taught once a week in jail has since expanded to be running over 35 programs throughout Philadelphia and serving youth in our communities who have been affected by a variety of forms of violence in our city (see program description for more). 

Whether in shelters, trauma clinics, rec centers, community hubs, foster care, diversion, schools, jails or in our music programs, our students are constantly showcasing their amazing talent.  Explore the site and see the amazing work our young people have been doing while learning about the obstacles in systems that many of our youth face.

Donations
Charitable Contributions
As Beyond the Bars expands to serve our community in new ways, we are always appreciative of the contributions of our donors. We currently have built and run 40 music labs throughout our city to ensure that youth across Philadelphia have the space to be the artist that they are! Your kindness and generosity helps us to sustain and grow these spaces and programs. We always do our best to maximize the impact of each gift to provide musical outlets to youth impacted by violence and divestment.

Musical Instrument/Equipment Donations
If you have any old musical instruments or musical equipment that you believe could help our students learn then please reach out to us at [email protected] for more details.

Contact us! [email protected] /267-225-7247/ 3500 Lancaster Ave Philadelphia, PA 19104/instagram