Kids-N-Hope
Making a difference in the lives of local children.
In 1996, American Heritage became the first credit union in the country to form a charitable organization when it began the Kids-N-Hope Foundation. The impetus for Kids-N-Hope was a visit by American Heritage's CEO, Bruce Foulke, to the Children’s Seashore House of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
The first “ray of hope” donated by the Kids-N-Hope Foundation to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was a Music Therapy Program. The funds were used to purchase instruments and hire a full-time Music Therapist.
Since then, the Foundation has donated over $3.1 million to local hospitals and not-for-profit organizations, including Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The Foundation's mission is to enhance children's health and life services by supporting music therapy programs, children's centers, and after school music programs at hospitals and not-for-profit organizations.
How Music Therapy Improves Health
Music therapy is a medical treatment prescribed by a doctor or medical professional to effect positive changes in the psychological, physical, cognitive, or social functioning of individuals with health or educational problems.
Music therapy is provided by a specially-trained therapist who assess a person’s emotional and physical health, cognitive abilities and social and communication skills. Based on those assessments, the therapist will develop a music plan to target clinical goal areas with music-based strategies to promote positive health outcomes. We believe every child undergoing medical treatment has the right to receive music therapy as an integrated component to their medical care.