The Sandy Hook Arts Center for Kids (SHACK) will host a special program this afternoon, a Chain of Love Card Making Event.

The arts center, at 100 Church Hill Road in Sandy Hook (Suite 104), invites students of all ages to stop in between 2:30 and 4:30, when it hosts a Charlotte Bacon Chain of Love event.

Created by fifth grade students at Reed Intermediate School, the project honors Charlotte Bacon by spreading love through an act of kindness. Students of all ages are invited to visit The SHACK  to create cards for children at St Jude’s Children’s Hospital. The card making will be an act of kindness, inspired by The Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Award and Newtown Kindness.

There is no charge for the drop-in program, but donations will be accepted for St Jude’s and The SHACK.

*On Saturday, May 11, The SHACK will host free group music therapy presented by CT Music Therapy Services, LLC.

Children, teens and families are invited to experience a music therapy session led by board certified professionals in the industry.

“Part healing, part music and all fun, CT Music Therapy Services, LLC’s programs are a wonderful addition to our mix of workshops and classes here at The SHACK,” said Wendy Mitchell, the arts center’s lead teacher and founder.

Sessions will be held at noon for ages 3-6; 1 pm for ages 7-11; 2 pm for ages 12 and up; and at 3 pm for family groups/mixed ages.

Connecticut Music Therapy Services, LLC has been providing music therapy throughout the state since 2005. Therapists help people with a variety of physical, communicative and emotional needs, using music as their intervention modality. CMTS counselors work with individuals of all ages in a wide variety of settings, including schools, homes, nursing homes, private practice, hospitals, rehabilitation settings, and many others.

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 (AMTA). Music therapists are highly trained individuals who have completed a four-year degree in music therapy or the equivalent, an internship, and have passed the Board Certification Exam in Music Therapy to receive the credential MT-BC. Continuing education is required to maintain the MT-BC credential. Many of the music therapists in our practice have received masters degrees in music therapy as well.

“It is important for Sandy Hook families to understand that music therapy is not just making music together with or for others, performing music in public, attending drum circles, etc,” according to a statement from CMT. “Based upon each individual’s needs we are trained to create musical interventions which can help in a variety of areas, for example developing stress management, creative expression, communication, social support, resilience, and positive coping. Like any other type of therapy the client-therapist relationship is private and confidential.

“Because we have been called upon to provide services to those impacted by the events of 12/14, we are reaching out to community organizations like SHACK to help the community increase their awareness of the availability of music therapy during this challenging time.”

During the music therapy sessions at The SHACK, a variety of interventions take place which may include singing, movement, listening to music, songwriting, song discussion, improvisation, instrument playing, etc. MT sessions at The SHACK have been grouped based on the age of participants, and the music is based on their preferences and interests.

Parents are welcome and encouraged to participate with their child, or allow music therapy sessions to be a time for independence, as may be the case with older participants.

Unlike individual music therapy, in community based music therapy sessions, experiences are focused on development/maintenance of resilience and community support/ participation, rather than in-depth processing.

Reservations are requested and can be done by sending email to sandyhookartscenter@gmail.com; be sure to include which session you will be attending. Call 203-304-9555 for more information.

*Wood Turners programs will be offered on Saturday, May 18.

Ages 10 and up are welcome to attend any of the four sessions: noon, 1, 2 and 3 pm. Students will use a lathe and other tools to make a wooden pen.

*The SHACK will host its next pop-in art session on Friday, June 7, from 4 to 5:30 pm. Previously a weekly event, the pop-in sessions will now be held on the first Friday of each month.

*An Art Art Camp for Kids & Teens will be offered Monday through Friday, July 1-5 and July 8-12, time TBA.

The free camp will offer campers the chance to participate in cultural art and a community mosaic project.

*A Summer Theatre Camp For Teens will be offered Monday through Friday, August 5-9, time TBA.

Middle school and high school students are welcome.

The SHACK is at 100 Church Hill Road, Suite 104, in Sandy Hook. For more information about classes, workshops, events and art/music & pet therapy sessions, or to register for any of the above programs, call 203-304-9555 or send email to sandyhookartscenter@gmail.com.