Meaghan’s Music Room respects your privacy, protects your personal information and adheres to all legislative requirements with respect to protecting privacy. We do not rent, sell or trade our mailing lists. The information you provide will be used to deliver services and to keep you informed and up to date on the activities of Meaghan’s Music Room, including programs, services, special events, funding needs, and volunteer opportunities through periodic contacts. If at any time you wish to be removed from our mailing list simply contact us by phone at 905 951-7416 or via email at meaghansroom@gmail.com
FAQ’s
What is MMR?
-The purpose of MMR is to plan, organize and execute theraputic music classes for individuals with physical and/or neurological disabilites
How did MMR start?
– At age 5, Meaghan Zaremba received a severe brain injury from a car accident, and faced an extremely challenged life in a wheelchair with minimal capabilities. But Meaghan gradually overcame her challenges, crediting her exposure to music as a key factor in her recovery. Today, Meaghan walks, talks, plays the piano, reads music, sings, and studies the clarinet and flute.
Meaghan’s experience with the healing power of music is what inspired her, and others, to create MMR in 2013, so that others with disabilities might experience similarly dramatic and impressive results.
Over the years, through the dedicated fundraising work of volunteers and friends, more and more students were able to be added to the program. By 2017, the list of individuals waiting eagerly to participate exceeded the funding capabilities of the founders. It was clear that there was a need to widen the circle of partners and provide consistent growth for existing and new students.
So, in 2018, a group of community-minded leaders and advisors worked together to transform MMR into the Not-for-profit Charitable Organization it now has become.
Why should I give to MMR?
-The music program provided by the Meaghan Zaremba Music Room is the only one of it’s kind in our small community. Most of the special needs individuals who attend, are young adults who have no government funding. This program has become part of their daily routine, and they anxiously await to attend classes each week. The success stories are numerous, and over the years we have seen young people who couldn’t speak, suddenly be able to talk and sing……wheelchair bound students will suddenly stand up and dance, autistic students experience complete calm and serenity while listening to live classical music. Individuals from our community experience this every week, and we have a waiting list to add more students.
But, to keep this program going, we need the financial assistance of people like you. Your donation makes this happen for them. Feel free to review our testimonials section, and read about the ways our program touches the lives of students and their sponsors.
What activities does MMR currently fund?
-Professional Music teachers provide structured and disciplined music instruction such as:
- dance through rhythm & movement
- learning theory through the use of flash cards to recognize treble clef, bass clef, etc.
- sing along using karaoke machine with various music genres
- rock/jam sessions using drums, piano, guitars, & all hand held percussion instruments
- recording & playback of their class music sessions
- teachers play live classical music on the piano for listening pleasure (this is particularly helpful for non-verbal, brain-injured individuals)
Where is MMR?
-Head Office and most of the activities are carried out on the premises of Tisho’s Music Academy, located at 29 McEwan Drive West, 2nd floor, Bolton, ON L7E 1H4.
Does MMR charge any fees?
– MMR does not collect fees from the students referred to MMR by local and regional associations that establish a need for their mentally and physically handicapped students to be enrolled in recreational or therapeutic music sessions. These organizations contribute a nominal per student fee. The students from these associations are designated by criteria established by those organizations, based primarily on the student’s desire to attend, the association’s evaluation of the benefits derived from the student’s participation, and the sponsorship funds and transportation capabilities available. We cover these student’s teacher fees, and any individual student participation by sponsoring the costs in whole or in part, depending on the financial capability of the student.
How much of my donation goes to administrative costs?
– MMR is proud of the fact that our administrative percentage is approximately 4%, which compares extremely favorably to the 35% benchmark attributed to some of the best-rated charities in Canada.
How are executive salaries determined?
-The Board of Directors and it’s Officers is an all-volunteer organization, with no compensation.
What does it cost for sponsoring an individual?
– We try to provide flexible levels of involvement. The cost is dependent on the frequency of sessions set up for a student, based on the financial commitment that can be comfortably maintained. We typically set up 1-hour sessions for compatible groups of 4-7 students, in order to maximize the enjoyment and learning experience. Some groups have sessions twice a week.
– If a donor wishes to provide funds so that a new student can experience the program, a $1500 donation would enable them to participate for a year.
Applying to be a student of MMR
Can I apply for funding for my children, or for an individual on their behalf?
– Yes, provided you have legal authority to act on their behalf, contact us for an application and the various procedure methods.
Can I request funding for two years in a row?
– Once in the program, students tend to remain from year to year, due to the immense enjoyment they get from it. While preference is given to existing students, based on available funds, it is our goal to provide long-term involvement in our program for each individual. Ongoing participation for individual or association students is determined by regular assessment from their supervisory association, or their familial caregivers. Since donations cannot be attributed to any one individual, we are unable to specifically subsidize a multi-year period.
Can anyone apply for MMR funding?
-Individuals of any age, with physical and/or neurological disabilites, can apply for funding through several agencies and directly. Feel free to contact us for an application and the procedure methods.
Can I apply for funding at any time?
-Yes, new registration is evaluated on a quarterly basis, however.
Volunteering
What volunteer opportunities does MMR have available?
– Fundraising , Grant Officers, Advisory, and Marketing/Campaigning roles are always welcomed. Bring your talents and join our team!
Are your volunteers and teachers screened?
– Vulnerable sector and Police checks form part of our Risk management policies.
Do you have a privacy policy?
– Likewise, Privacy rules form part of our Risk management policies.
What is your Vision?
-Our vision is to heal, and bring joy, happiness, hope, and provide a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves.
What is your mission statement?
-MMR sponsors high quality, affordable, and accessible music therapy services for people with disabilities, in a creative, engaging and focused way. It is our mission to use the power of music to enrich the lives of individuals within the community we serve, and create opportunities for acceptance and respect within the community at large.
Fundraising
What organizations have funded MZMR , and where does most funding come from?
Most of our funding comes from groups such as:
- Local Service Clubs, – the Kin Club of Bolton and the Palgrave and Bolton Rotary Clubs
- Corporations – Trans Canada and many local community-minded businesses are generously involved each year.
- Organizations – Brampton Caledon Community Foundation, White Birch Day Program, Vita Community Living, and Special Needs Adult Program Service Organization subsidize their attendees
- Grants – from the Town of Caledon and others.
- Individual donations from community-minded people
- Fundraising events – such as raffles, etc
Do you have a fundraising goal?
– Our multiple fundraising projects are designed to meet our annual costs in sponsoring the existing program. Our goal is to provide growth to generate increased the numbers of individuals that can experience our program. Current funding only covers a portion of our sponsorship costs. We hope to reach annual funding of $100,000, so that we can maximize the participation both in number of students, and session times available.
Will I be recognized for my donation?
– Charitable organizations are limited in what they can do in recognizing their patrons who receive tax receipts for their donations. To the extent that is commonly seen and allowed, we endeavor to provide recognition for our generous donors in various media.
– For those that prefer a simple receipt for business expenses, more substantial public recognition is allowed.
Are there benchmarks that determine the success of your program?
Students are referred to MMR by local and regional associations that establish a need or desire for their mentally and physically handicapped individuals to take part in recreational or therapeutic music sessions. The students from these associations are designated by criteria established by those organizations, based primarily on the student’s desire to attend, the association’s evaluation of the benefits derived from the student’s participation, and the sponsorship funds and transportation capabilities available.
Individual students not associated with a supervisory organization, similar to any music student at a varying skill level, are generally selected after an interview, usually with their parent or guardian, to establish schedule, transportation, degree of socialization, and class size capabilities.
How can I make a donation?
Please visit our Donation Page for options. These include…
- Paypal and CanadaHelps.org facilitate Credit and debit donations.
- Interac automatic deposit is available.
- Cheques can be mailed or scanned by donors for deposit.
Can I target my donation to an individual?
– Yes, A donor may be able to direct a gift towards a person, family, or other non‐qualified donee if they have been identified beforehand by the charity as a recipient of its charitable program. However, when a charity does not have ultimate control over donated funds, or when a benefit accrues to the donor from donated funds, (such as a family member), these funds do not constitute a gift and are not eligible for a Tax receipt.
I need a tax receipt for my donation.
– As a registered Charity, MMR is able to provide tax receipts for qualified donations.
I have items or services to donate.
-A tax receipt can be issued for each gift in kind (non‐cash) donation, based on the fair market assessment of the donation.
Who can participate / partner?
– Anyone.
Are there medical staff present at MZMR?
– No, as the sessions are of limited time period and usually only one or two days a week.
But, to keep this program going, we need the assistance of people like you. With a donation of $1500, you can help us sponsor a student to participation in weekly music sessions that could change a life.
The Meaghan Zaremba Music Room, provides a music program to individuals with physical and/or mental challenges. Current funding allows us to provide over 900 hrs of classroom musical experience per year. Organizations arrange for one or two classes per week with multiple individuals per session.
The organization presently has 12 volunteers, and no employees.
Accessibility
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) OTF Compliance.
We are committed to promoting a healthy environment where participants can participate fully in all aspects of their involvement. We offer a barrier-free facility that is accessible to all employees, stakeholders, volunteers and people with disabilities.
We comply with The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) in ensuring that our programs and services are fully accessible to people with disabilities. Most importantly, the core principles of the Act – independence, dignity, integration, equality of opportunity for people with disabilities are aligned with our values.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) uses the same definition of “disability” as the Ontario Human Rights Code, which includes both visible and non-visible disabilities.
Our staff is comfortable serving customers with disabilities and our services can be provided in different ways. Our volunteers are aware and respectful of the needs of people with special needs and the organizations that support them.
Our head office premises is accessible.
PARTNERSHIP AND SPONSORSHIP
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Music Therapy is the skillful and creative use of music to improve the health, well being and quality of life of those treated. Music Therapy helps people of all ages and abilities reach their fullest potential through music by focusing on the specific needs of each individual. Treatment through music therapy can:
- Increase self expression and improve communications skills
- Improve social skills and promote interaction
- Increase relaxation and reduce anxiety
- Increase mobility and improve motor skills
- Promote learning and increase attention
- Explore and resolve personal issues