Comments on: Move over, Freud. Rap therapy has come to town.

By: Tomas

Tomas — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:39:29 +0000

Beats, Rhymes & Life is having a fundraiser event this Friday, March 12th at the New Parish in downtown Oakland. Proceeds go to meet a $10,000 matching grant awarded to the Beats, Rhymes & Life Film Project, a documentary on the youth in last year’s BRL program at Oakland High. To learn more about film and the event visit http://www.brlfilmproject.com

We would love your support!

By: Charles Thomas

Charles Thomas — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:05:48 +0000

Hip hop is my life, man. I dream about being a producer My family’s on some hard times though. People with the ducats get to the top usually. Though J-Zay is from the hood.

By: rap

rap — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:39:50 +0000

no bad…

By: Math raps: the next edu-fad? - The Education Report - Katy Murphy covers what’s going on in the Oakland schools

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:44:35 +0000

[...] you’ll recall, I wrote about rap therapy last summer. Are any Oakland teachers incorporating music of any kind into math, reading or [...]

By: Rogers

Rogers — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:57:48 +0000

Good stuff Tomas. Keep up the great work.

By: Ann

Ann — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:00:07 +0000

Tomas’ vision and action — and the youth who participate in BRL — are inspiring. This is the kind of program that deserves support, and I hope it continues to grow and thrive. Good luck, BRL!

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:25:28 +0000

As an educator of 10 years and now an outreach therapist for 18-25 year olds in Connecticut, I am familiar with how difficult it is to motivate young people to take care of themselves…especially through the expression of their feelings. This program clearly demonstrates how, instead of forcing youth into the education and health systems that we have in place, we can let their voices be heard in the creation of healing and unity. Along with the exercise of individual introspection and writing , this program makes excellent use of the group process to bring about therapeutic gains. Bravo! Will you start programs on the East Coast please?!?

By: Mina

Mina — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 02:37:31 +0000

What makes Beats, Rhymes, and Life truly extraordinary among youth programs is that it is lead by mental health professionals, and combines the healing power of art and music with the internal and external world of each youth. I have represented youth in the juvenile justice system that would benefit so much from this program. I am so thankful for the efforts of the coordinators! Keep up the good work!

By: Brittany

Brittany — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 04:30:25 +0000

This is truly an incredible and innovative mental health program. Talk about “meeting the client where they are at!!”. I am a clinical social worker in the Napa school district and know that a program like this would reach so many of our at risk youth. As we all know traditional talk therapy does not work for everyone. After reading this blog and watching the video I was curious of how I could find out more about this program so I went to google of course! The program and their website was very impressive!!! It clearly explains the mission of the BRL program, how it came about, and the strengths based approach the creator based it upon. Check it out! http://www.beatsrhymesandlife.org

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:20:47 +0000

This is program sounds incredible. This music video is very inspiring. You can see that the youth are very invested and engaged. I think it’s great that this is offered as an alternative to therapy. I wish I had something like this when I was a teen. Beats, Rhymes & Life should be offered in all schools, especially in Oakland where there is a big need for more support for teens.