Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Ebeling.
Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us how you got started?
The inspiration for Angel Band Project came from an unthinkable tragedy; in July 2009, a young man crept through an open window at the home of Teresa Butz and her partner in the middle of the night. After repeatedly raping and stabbing both women, Teresa fought back. According to police, her actions saved her partner’s life but cost Teresa her own. After witnessing the emotionally powerful singing at Teresa’s funeral from her musically-talented family and partner, Teresa’s lifelong friends were inspired to record them. Teresa’s brother, the two-time Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz and Teresa’s surviving partner, Jennifer Hopper, joined their efforts. Their aim was simple: to capture the power in the music they heard to help others heal from the effects of sexual violence.
What we’re doing today:
Since the release of our first benefit album in 2010, we have expanded our vision and now use music to impact survivors’ lives directly. Music connects us all on a deep level. Our groundbreaking music therapy programs have been positively changing lives since 2014. Board-certified music therapists work with small groups of teen and adult survivors as part of their healing process. We currently offer programs in Missouri, Washington State, and New York. Our work has been recognized by the United Nations and the American Music Therapy Association and was featured in 2020 on the Born This Way Foundations Channel Kindness blog.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting a nonprofit always involves challenges, but due to the steady support of friends, colleagues, and the greater St. Louis community, we have paved a successful path for the past 13 years. We have expanded our services to other cities on both the east and west coasts, and raising funds steadily for those programs has been challenging annually. However, we have a dedicated board of directors and corporate sponsors that allow funding to materialize yearly for these programs.
So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why?
As a female and mother of three daughters, I am passionate about the issue of gender-based violence, and I strive for ways to elevate the voices of women affected by this issue. I also strive to support others in the community with similar values and missions.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.angelbandproject.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/theangelbandproject
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelBandProject
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/theangelband
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AngelBandProject/videos
Image Credits
Rachel Ebeling Photo – CREDIT Laude News
