Did you know that our very own CJ Shiloh, director of The Musical Autist, is an avid runner? Oct.12th she’ll be running the Baltimore Half Marathon – 13.1 miles! Of course many runners enjoy raising funds for various nonprofits, and CJ is no exception. This year, she’ll be “#MTFrundraising” for American Music Therapy Association!
But why would she fundraise for another nonprofit when she’s in the final process of getting nonprofit status for The Musical Autist? Why ask all of her friends, family and fans to support AMTA when in just a few short months The Musical Autist will have 501c3 status and she can do a “round” of asking for donations this year, for her own organization?
Well, because giving begets giving. Generosity propels generosity. What goes around comes around, some call it karma, some call it “doing unto others…”
And to be honest, if it weren’t for AMTA advocating for the professional field of music therapy over the past few decades, The Musical Autist wouldn’t have a concept of “Community Music Therapy” to be developing into professional practice.
It is a great honor for CJ to have completed a graduate equivalence program this year to become a Board Certified Music Therapist. They are not easy credentials to obtain, take a look at the competencies it takes to become an MT-BC. The professional field of music therapy would not be where it is today without AMTA advocating for this definition, “Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.”
We purpose to build upon the established practice of music therapy in the clinical setting, to bring into the community at large. We want to see Community Music Therapy in action – our music therapist readers will understand when we say we are sailing under this flag!
Check out CJ’s FirstGiving fundraising page – and thanks for your support if you feel so led!
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