Music therapy group ready to train volunteers

CARMEL VALLEY — A local nonprofit agency is looking for volunteers and offering training in how to use music to help adults and children with special needs.
Resounding Joy Inc., based in Carmel Valley, uses music to promote the social, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of people throughout the county, from nursing home residents, older-adult daycare clients and infants of teen parents to homeless people and AIDS and HIV patients.
It trains a network of volunteers in the principles of music therapy and helps out at many faith- and community-based organizations, including the Encinitas Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Redwood Elderlink in Escondido, and the Third Avenue Charitable Organization in San Diego.
Volunteers will be trained from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 30, and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on a third date to be determined, along with the locations.
During the 12 hours of training and supervision, volunteers will learn recreational music-making techniques in drumming, rhythm and singing and how to work one-on-one or in groups to help reduce stress, improve physical fitness, encourage self-expression and foster camaraderie of those in need.
Prospective volunteers must commit to serving as “Joy Givers” at least four hours a month and attending four supervision meetings for the calendar year. They are not required to read music, play musical instruments or have trained voices.
Candidates should fill out and submit a Volunteer Inquiry form at www.resoundingjoyinc.org/pages/oregister.php as soon as possible so they can be interviewed for consideration by the Oct. 15 deadline. Resounding Joy will contact all approved volunteers and confirm the training locations.
For more information, contact Noelle Pederson, director of education and training for Resounding Joy, at (866) 800-0197 or [email protected] [email protected].