table of contents
Children and families experiencing poverty and housing instability live with the pressures of frequent transition and uncertainty. For this population, music has even more power to offer a profound impact: joy, connection, and the freedom for kids to just be kids. That’s the spirit behind Eliot Community Human Services’ collaboration with Stitcch, a youth-led nonprofit on a mission to make music education accessible for everyone.
Founded and run by high school students from Needham, MA, Stitcch began as an organizing effort to teach violin to younger children. It quickly evolved to include voice instruction, performance opportunities, and meaningful friendships built through weekly lessons and community concerts. Their model is unique: high schoolers serve as teachers and mentors, bringing their time and talents to children who might otherwise never have the chance to learn an instrument.
A Note of Joy in Challenging Times
Over the last year, Stitcch collaborated with Eliot’s Family Resource Center (FRC) in Everett, visiting weekly and providing free music lessons to the children and families accessing services and resources there. From the beginning, it was clear this wasn’t just a lesson plan—it was a relationship.
Each week, high school musicians from Stitcch made the drive from Needham to Everett to meet with children ages 5 to 15 at the FRC, offering violin instruction, choir practice, and above all, a sense of belonging. These children, who in some cases are new to the U.S., come from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and often carry the weight of displacement and trauma. But in the music room, they found space to laugh, explore, and express themselves authentically.
“Kids teaching kids—that’s what made this so special,” says Liliana Patino, Eliot’s Senior Director of Community Impact and Development, and FRC Director. “The connection was genuine. You’d hear laughter, see smiles, and feel the pride these kids had performing with their new friends.”
Melodies That Build Community
The collaboration blossomed quickly. Over 35 children participated in weekly violin lessons, while another 20 families joined in for choir practice. The programs culminated in seasonal concerts—one last December and another in spring 2025—offering families a chance to gather and celebrate their children’s creativity. These performances, held both at the FRC and other locations, became bright spots for families navigating difficult circumstances.
What’s more, every child who participated in the violin program received their own instrument to keep—an investment not just in learning, but in lifelong confidence, continuity and artistic expression.
A Partnership That Plays On
Eliot’s relationship with Stitcch continues growing. Plans are being enacted to continue lessons at several accessible community locations so more families can benefit. For the youth behind Stitcch, the experience has been just as transformative.
“This collaboration gave our high school volunteers something incredibly meaningful,” says Liliana. “They didn’t just teach—they connected. And they left with a deeper understanding of resilience, diversity, and joy.”
From the first hesitant notes to full songs performed in front of cheering families, Eliot and Stitcch’s partnership is a testament to what happens when young people lead with heart—and when organizations open doors to possibility. In a world that too often rushes past the most vulnerable, this collaboration slowed down to listen to the shared meaning and connection of music.
