David's Harp Foundation

The business pod (bizpod) program: the David's Harp Foundation's biz pod program serves transitional-aged youth experiencing homelessness or justice involvement, seeking access to the creative economy. Participants learn to create professional video content for clients like sony and the city of san diego. They receive hands-on entrepreneurial training, including strategic planning, budgeting, and customer service, while earning a livable wage. The program includes academic integration through ucsd extension and emphasizes mentorship and social entrepreneurship. By combining practical experience, academic learning, and financial empowerment, biz pod equips youth with the skills and confidence to become resilient, creative leaders in their communities.

Beats behind the wall: the David's Harp Foundation's beats behind the wall program serves justice-involved youth, bringing music production to incarceration facilities. Through six-week modules, youth learn critical listening, song production, and audio editing using professional tools. Artist mentors build authentic relationships, guiding youth beyond technical skills. Exceptional students earn field trips to professional studios and can pursue internships in audio engineering. Post-release, the program offers $18/hour jobs in audio engineering, facilitated by the san diego Foundation. This initiative dismantles the school-to-prison pipeline, transforming youth's pain into art and guiding them towards leadership and success.beats beyond the wall: the David's Harp Foundation's beats beyond the wall program supports youth transitioning from incarceration to community life, building on relationships formed in the beats behind the wall program. Artist mentors meet youth upon release, offering probation navigation, court support, and creative opportunities in the recording studio. The biz pod teaches entrepreneurial skills through professional video projects. Youth access local creative opportunities, fostering professional growth. The emerging leaders internship develops leadership skills. This program transforms lives by nurturing creativity, leadership, and successful reintegration into society, with strong mentorship at its core.

Student studio: the David's Harp Foundation's student studio program empowers high school students through music education and multimedia production. Partnering with local organizations, it offers six-week project-based learning cycles where youth master industry-standard music production. Mentorship from artist mentors extends beyond the studio, fostering personal growth and academic success. In collaboration with the san diego county office of education, the program provides academic support. An incentive system rewards improved grades with extra studio time, and graduates can join the bizpod program to explore the business side of music. The student studio creates a nurturing space where creativity and connection thrive.

Studio nights program: the David's Harp Foundation's studio nights program partners with san diego youth services to provide a creative outlet for youth staying at the emergency teen shelter. Each night, after checking into the shelter, youth are brought to tdhf's recording facility to create original music and poetry. This program offers a safe, supportive environment, encouraging youth to come off the streets and engage in creativity. Once they find stable housing, they can transition to other tdhf programs, ensuring continuous support and empowerment. Studio nights fosters creativity, personal growth, and a path towards stability for vulnerable youth.

The transformation house (the launchpad): the David's Harp Foundation's transformation house, known as the launchpad, provides a living solution for transitional-aged youth (18-24) in the biz pod program. Located near the tdhf production facility, it offers a supportive, relationship-centered environment. Youth earn $20 per hour creating professional video content and contribute $500 monthly towards rent, which is saved and reported to build their credit. After 12 months, participants can use their savings for moving expenses, facilitating independent living. The launchpad combines mentorship, financial education, and community engagement, empowering youth to transition from hardship to thriving, independent lives.