The Bridges Alliance benefit concert will be held at Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin.
Fighting poverty never sounded so sweet.
This weekend, local music lovers have the chance to enjoy performances by some of the area’s most talented students.
At the same time, they can support efforts to lift local residents out of the cycle of poverty and into a better life.
Bridges Alliance of Johnson County has planned a concert benefit at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Grace United Methodist Church to help fund its programs. Musicians from the University of Indianapolis School of Music will perform a variety of original songs.
The event has been organized by Jennifer McColpin, a music student at UIndy and an AmeriCorps service member with Bridges Alliance.
“It’s definitely means a lot to be able to do this, and it means a lot to everybody who’s performing to take a stance and try to make waves in the community. Even if not everybody wants to donate, maybe they heard about Bridges and want to know what it is,” she said.
Bridges Alliance of Johnson County is a collaboration between businesses, social service agencies, churches and individuals working together to end poverty in the community. The program provides the tools, resources, support and relationships necessary to be successful, helping people establish independence and stability in their lives.
The organization uses parts of two different nationally recognized anti-poverty programs. Bridges Out of Poverty focuses on understanding the hidden rules of society that can keep people from succeeding. At the same time, Bridges Alliance has also worked with a group called Circles USA, whose Surviving to Thriving program brings participants together each week to learn about how to budget, apply and interview for a job and set goals.
Since it formed in 2016, the group has helped dozens of people break the cycle of poverty and realize financial stability in their lives.
McColpin has been a passionate supporter of the organization. With her connections at UIndy, she thought it would be worthwhile to plan a unique music fundraiser to help Bridges Alliance.
“I’ve been volunteering with Circles, and I wanted to do something that was a little bit different,” she said.
The organization has been creative in its fundraising efforts in the past, including hosting “A Night of Magic” with Franklin College graduated and magician Caleb Wiles at the Historic Artcraft Theatre in May.
Performers from UIndy have put together a diverse slate of music featuring a pair of student performance groups. Participating musicians include Gabe Bynoe and Jake Lin who go by The Crossroads and write original country-style songs. The second group consists of McColpin and fellow student Ethan Hacker doing a variety of styles.
For the summer concert, organizers are suggesting a donation of $5 to $10, which will be collected at the door. The group will also be serving ice cream after the concert, again available for a small donation.
“Everybody has been super excited and super supportive. It’s been a lot to organize, but it’s going to be really worth it,” McColpin said.
