Thank you to everyone who donated and/or shared our ROC The Day posts!
our current work
What are we up to right now?
- Every two weeks, we visit one of two treatment. centers, Norris ATC and Helio Pathways, bringing a car full of instruments to patients for group jams and live performances.
- We hold a monthly sober group jam open to the public at Rocovery.
- Working on a documentary about our nonprofit and the need for supplemental recovery resources.
- Looking for a local coffee shop to host a unique Sobriety Sounds sponsored open mic.
TIMEline of sobriety sounds (part 1)
The Idea (Winter 2021)
The initial vision for Sobriety Sounds was a dedicated physical space—a sober atmosphere where anyone could access everything music-related. Our founder, Matt, spent months handwriting the blueprints and researching every detail the space would need, right down to the coffee filters.
Becoming a Nonprofit
To make it official, Matt called every lawyer in Rochester until he found a partner who believed in the mission. A massive thank you to Harter Secrest & Emery LLP for handling our 501(c)(3) formation pro bono.
Oh right... Reality.
We quickly realized that a permanent Sobriety Sounds space wasn't going to happen without a massive, six-figure donation. We had a choice: Wait for a miracle, or start helping people now.
TIMEline of sobriety sounds (part 2)
No Space? No problem.
On 10/7/22, we stopped waiting for a building and started moving. We bought a bunch of percussion instruments, loaded up Matt's car to the brim, and did our first treatment center visit. Our visits are part group jam, part performing for the patients. We get written feedback from the patients, who document their anxiety at the beginning and end of our visits. The data we collect consistently shows a drastic decrease in anxiety/nervousness/tension by the end of our visits.
How do we afford the future?
Those notebooks, pens, and guitar picks cost money—and a future permanent space will cost even more. While we rely on the generosity of our donors, we are also building our own way. Through the Satellite Network, the Musicians Network, and the Pick Stag LLC partnership, we are creating a community that funds itself.
The Next Step
Beyond our bi-weekly treatment center visits, we hold a monthly group jam open to the public at Rocovery. We're also currently scouting local coffee shops to host a unique, Sobriety Sounds-sponsored open mic.
Current needs
Volunteers!
We have a ton of work that needs to be done, and a very small team. Some tasks we could use help with include:
- Formatting Lyrics for our group jams
- Grant writing
- Administrative tasks (Google Workspace)
We're also in need of more sober musicians who would like to join us at our treatment center visits.
Equipment!
We're always in need of instrument cords, XLR cords, adapters, microphones, amps, and instruments that are in fair condition. We would be happy to schedule a pickup and provide a receipt for any in-kind donations. Send us an email to donate equipment you no longer use!
Money
Our costs are low, but we still need money to buy notebooks. pens, and guitar picks to give out to patients at our treatment center visits. We have regular costs that come out of our own volunteer's pockets when Sobriety Sounds doesn't have enough money to cover. Some of these costs include a monthly storage unit fee, an annual charge for our website, and monthly phone number costs. To make a financial donation that will make a difference, please click HERE.
Original Hand written plan for sobriety sounds
Original Hand written plan for sobriety sounds (part 2)
Sobriety Sounds, Inc.
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