For teens with difficult pasts, therapeutic programs can be life-changing. At a Georgia organization, a unique drumming program is helping teens process their emotions and heal — one beat at a time.
“Just playing the drums, it does something to me,” shared one student at Youth Villages, who wished to remain anonymous.
14-year-old Rilynn added, “I feel like I am a different person playing the drums.”
The program goes beyond music, offering vital life lessons. Tatiana Rolles, the program supervisor, explained, “We help them develop new coping skills and life skills to address their challenging behaviors. Our goal is to help them re-enter society as a transformed individual and show the world their gifts.”
For many of these teens, the program is about more than music. “Our kids come here with troubled pasts, with rap sheets full of behaviors like running away and self-harming. But through performing, we help them discover their worth,” said Rolles. “Now they’re able to show others their gifts, and in doing so, they develop a new sense of self-worth.”
The Youth Villages Inner Harbor Campus is a residential facility dedicated to at-risk youth. On Wednesday, the teens participated in a Black History Month celebration, showcasing their talents through music.
For the teens involved, drumming offers a path to healing and belonging. “It gives me purpose. It gives me relief. It also makes me feel part of a community, something I don’t feel in the outside world,” shared 16-year-old Jason.
Seventeen-year-old Malachai explained, “It helps me communicate without saying something. When I drum, it feels more effective.”
Rilynn said, “You can use your emotions on the drums. When you do a solo, you can express how you feel through the rhythm.”
This drumming program has been a staple at Youth Villages for decades, offering more than just music lessons. “Even on their tough days, when they make mistakes, if I can reach them even once, I know I’ve done my job,” said Rolles.
For these teens, the drums are not just an instrument — they are a way to heal, grow, and find a new sense of purpose.
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