2006-10-27T22:27:00.000-07:00

MUSICAL REDEMPTION BEHIND BARS

Producer/Counselor takes portable recording studio into Juveniles
Halls to make CD's with Incarcerated Youth

(North Bay) “What is a creative alternative to a life behind bars?” That’s the question Charles Moselle, a professional musician in the Bay Area poses to the juvenile offenders he counsels and helps to turn their musical talents from songs about hate and violence into expressions of their desire for hope, joy and success. He encourages these youth to be aware that the realm of creativity is indeed, infinite.

Moselle, 52, has worked in juvenile halls since 2002. “I was inspired to take this direction in my life following the heart-break as my then six-year-old son and I helplessly watched my wife being driven insane and then dying from drug abuse,” he said.

Moselle started a non-profit foundation he calls “Giant Steps” to raise money to do his work with young offenders many of whom know only what he calls the “family business” of gang violence, robbery, drug dealing and murder. His program is partially funded by the juvenile halls because it has proven itself to be effective in giving the young men an option for a fresh start.

“Basically, I go into the juvenile facility with a portable recording studio (keyboards, microphones, and computer) and in collaboration with one to four kids, create songs (rap, reggae, hip-hop or rock),” Moselle explained. “Then I go back to my home studio to do the post-production and return to the facility to give them professional quality CDs of their music,” he added.

The kids get to tell their stories, access suppressed emotions, express their hopes and dreams and change the face they see in the mirror, thus changing the way they are viewed. “Their dreams and sense of purpose are parts of themselves that are usually masked from their own awareness,” Moselle said.

One recent example of his work was with a teenager whose brother was murdered two weeks earlier and through the creation of a rap song about this, the teen came to grips with the reality that if he were to avenge his brother’s murder he would become that person’s next victim or be sent to prison possibly for life...

“The problem we face in our communities,” Moselle said, “is that once the offender is released at 18, he simply returns to the environment where his troubles began and winds up in prison. Why?” Moselle asks. “It is all about economics. They don’t have any job skills. That’s where I come in with the Giant Steps program,” Moselle said.

Moselle calls his follow-up program Y.A.P. (Youth Apprenticeship Program) which will help youth ages 18-21 be trained in all skills (music, studio production, and counseling) so they can carry on the mission of Y.A.P. in other facilities after reaching age 21. “They can carry on the work with
these skills that will support them while they continue to pursue their dream to become successful entertainers,” Moselle said.

“Funding is critical now,” Moselle said. “Just as I was beginning to implement the follow-up program, the money for the basic work I do in juvenile hall is running out.” he explained. “Frankly, we need money. It is interesting that the cost of keeping a prisoner behind bars for one year is approximately the same amount it takes me to run my program and prevent approximately 20 people from serving time,” he said. “This just isn’t about music. It is a lifeline. These kids now look in the mirror and see a creative person, not just a gangster or, above all, not just another loser. To be a part of Y.A.P., they can see life through musical notes instead of prison bars” he said.

Many of the songs the kids produce are getting rave reviews by Bay Area listeners and Moselle is working to get the attention of producers within the music industry.

For Information on Ways to Contribute to the Giant Steps Foundation
email or call Tom Roberts, Marketing Director 415-367-7505
inspireforu@yahoo.com
or Charles Moselle (Cell: 415-302-4452 Email: cmoselle@comcast.net