Philip Bailey is utilizing his platform as a member of the legendary soul group Earth, Wind & Fireplace to boost funds to enhance the foster care system.
Bailey, one of many two lead singers of the Grammy award-winning band, launched Music Is Unity (MIU) in 2007 to give attention to youth growing older out of the foster care system. Since its launch, MIU has supplied supportive companies to over 23,000 youth who’re emancipated from the U.S. Foster Care system annually.
Philip Bailey helps youth who age out of foster care
Bailey started Music is Unity basis along with his daughter, Trinity, who’s on the administration workers with EWF to assist the often-overlooked youth who’re too outdated to remain in foster care.
“As youth age out of foster care, they don’t have the identical alternatives and assist methods as many different kids in our society,” stated Philip Bailey. “Over 20,000 youth emancipate out of the U.S. foster care system yearly, and by elevating consciousness and funds, we’re in a position to be a voice for the unvoiced. Even if you’re not in a position to undertake a foster youth, you’ll be able to be part of the trigger by offering stability by means of funding and mentorship.”
Music is Unity helps present extra assets
The Denver native, whose well-known falsetto helped energy EWF’s basic cuts like “Let’s Groove,” “Shining Star,” “September,” and “Boogie Wonderland,” stated he can’t fathom his kids being raised with out primary assist.
“I’ve seven kids and, , I can’t think about any of them really being on this world with none assist system in anyway,” Bailey advised rolling out. “And , it’s unthinkable that there are such a lot of people that discover themselves in that scenario by no fault of their very own; they didn’t ask to be right here. In order that they want individuals who will come alongside of them, and which we do with Music is Unity to assist make their plight simpler.”
Bailey remains to be baffled at how the younger former foster care children are handled after they flip 18.
“Typically, a few of the most hurtful cases are when children are actually given their stuff in trash luggage and put out,” Bailey stated. “I didn’t perceive the concept that, , that individuals may very well be so merciless and to have folks of their house for for any given period of time after which simply be so callous to only put them out with their stuff in paper luggage and trash [bags]. They usually find yourself dwelling within the streets.”
Music is Unity helps present a voice for the unvoiced
Bailey stated that a few of them wind up being trafficked or incarcerated. And their disgrace and concern generally stop them from reaching out.
“In order that they want a mouthpiece,” Bailey stated. “They want folks to come back alongside of them. And that’s what Music is Unity is to inform these tales, to enlighten folks to their conditions, and to ask for his or her assist.”
Backstage Sound Examine introduces foster kids to the numerous jobs behind the scenes
Moreover, MIU has a program known as “Backstage Sound Examine,” the place the Baileys invite foster youth to their concert events and introduce them to the totally different sides of their tour operations. This system hopes to awaken an curiosity in music or in being part of the tour.
“And that’s a number of enjoyable,” he stated. “We get an opportunity to only actually kick in with them. And, , hear their tales. They get an opportunity to see us and expertise the backstage sound test expertise.”
Bailey stated one of many large success tales from an individual who was previously in foster care is singer Dreion, who went far in season 26 of “The Voice.” Now a husband and father himself, Dreion opens up for Earth, Wind & Fireplace throughout a few of their choose tour dates.
Via Music is Unity, Bailey is hoping to create extra success tales like Dreion.