Dear Family, Friends, and Supporters of Children Helping Children,

Hello! I’m Ayush Maini, a twelfth-grader from Connecticut! Each year, I organize the Children Helping Children Benefit Concert with performances by accomplished and gifted children. Our goal is to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives through music. I was initially motivated to start a benefit after a close friend of mine was diagnosed with leukemia, but as I researched and set up last year’s concert, I learned of many other people’s pain and struggles. I listened to heartfelt stories from people, and, through hard work, dedication, and the kindness of people’s hearts, we raised over $60,000 over the last four years to help fund research and hospital care with the ultimate goal of saving lives. In 2020, we partnered with the New York Presbyterian Children’s Hospital, and, in 2021, we took a more global perspective and partnered up with the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to support their mission of ensuring that no child suffers needlessly.  Last year, CHC partnered with a local non-profit organization, Abilis, which provides services and support for individuals with special needs.

This year, Children Helping Children has partnered up with Project Music and Perfect Unison. Perfect Unison Inc. is a non-profit organization devoted to expanding the classical music community, hoping to achieve this by creating a global community of young classically-trained musicians and connecting them through their works, service, and performance opportunities. In doing so, Perfect Unison aims to partner with organizations to bring music to communities that can learn, build skill and musicianship through teaching, supporting and creating music for social impact. In partnering with Children Helping Children in support of Project Music, Perfect Unison’s mission is to be a catalyst in broadening the organization’s reach to aid in expanding musical programs, teaching opportunities, and safe spaces for young students to explore and find joy and skill via musical development. Perfect Unison is proud to be working with partners in this shared mission and impacting the Project Music community in Connecticut.

Project Music, Inc. is a creative youth development organization and El Sistema-inspired program headquartered in Stamford, CT. Project Music’s mission is to ensure that all youth, regardless of circumstances, have access, opportunity, and inspiration to the transformative power of music. Their after-school program works across 4 community sites working with 150 young people each day, and their most intensive site is located at the King School, where 100 students from across 26 schools gather daily for a meal replacement snack, homework time, a private music lesson, and ensemble rehearsal.

On December 3, 2023, children who are passionate about both music and community service will use what we have, the gift of music, to help raise money for children in need around the world. If you’re unable to join us, that’s okay, too! We’ll be live-streaming the event on YouTube; the link will be posted on the website. Either way, I hope you'll join us in our effort to turn this vision into a reality.

All gifts, no matter how big or small, will make a tremendous difference. Your gift means so much to me and even more to so many others who depend on the work Abilis does, setting the standard of excellence for person-centered services through innovation, teamwork, and respect for the people they serve. Together, we can all shape communities in which people of all abilities participate and contribute as equal citizens. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Ayush and Emma Maini (The String Beans)
Co-Founders of Children Helping Children