Our compassionate music instructors and personnel of ACOP are all subjected to background checks from the Police Department and the F.B.I. and all come from diverse backgrounds.  Majority of our instructors are of Latin/ Hispanic origin and are bilingual in Spanish and English. This is true as well for our Haitian Afro-Caribbean Orchestras where our instructors are of Haitian origin and are bilingual in Creole and English, meeting the unique cultural and linguistic needs of our children.

“Facts About America’s Youth” (http://guide.helpingamericasyouth.gov) reports that caring adults, who take the time to make a “real connection” in a young person’s life, make a significant impact on positive youth development. Mentored youth exhibit fewer negative behaviors, better attitudes, less substance abuse, less violence, and improved parental relationships. The guide highlighted the importance of continuity in such mentor relationships. One study found that young people who were matched to one mentor for more than 12 months, compared with less than 12 months, reported significant increases in their self-worth, perceived social acceptance, perceived scholastic competence, higher-quality parental relationships, etc.

ACOP has benefited tremendously from a very low turnover rate with music educators during the past 5 years, which increases the likelihood that positive mentor-child relationships will develop that may have middle & long-term impact. During the course of our activities, our children who desperately need positive role models receive strong encouragement from their instructors - they become caring and supportive mentors to these children -  who in some cases may be among their most significant adult role models.