Toby's Story
We would like to share this story submitted to us recently by a fan of the Escovedo family that works in the foster care system. It's stories like these that inspire the work of Elevate Hope Foundation. We hope this will increase your understanding and the importance of the funding that EHF endeavors to provide.
When I met Toby, he was a savvy 8-year-old with a severe history of abuse who was unable to share his feelings with others. Periodically, he would explode in violence when the stress of not communicating got to be too much.
One day, we took him to see Pete Escovedo in concert, and we noticed a change in his behavior for about two weeks. He mentioned that he liked drums, so we got him a pair of drumsticks and a practice pad.
Soon afterward, Sheila E. had a concert, and when Toby met her, he bonded with her immediately. From that point on, instead of destroying all of his belongings and the surrounding property, he would play his drum pads when he got frustrated or upset. The change was astonishing.
Unfortunately, not everyone on Toby's treatment team understood the vital role music was playing in keeping Toby together, and subsequently the support for Toby's pursuit of music did not continue.
As Toby's ability to grow musically dwindled, his negative behavior increased. He had to leave the facility for a higher level of care. For the next couple of years he bounced from group home to group home until he ended up at the facility were I worked. I had only started working there when Toby arrived, and having another chance to help him was a blessing.
It was a hard adjustment for him being at such a high level of care, but we brought the music back into his life, and again it made a dramatic impact. The more he focused on music, the more he was able to express his feelings without violence. He eventually met the requirements to step down to a lower level of care.
In his new placement, Toby was again not supported in his pursuit of music and, once again, he began to fall apart. Since, Toby has been moved to another high-level facility and started running away. I've been told that he is becoming more violent and non responsive to his new environment.
It is my desire to reach kids like this through music because I see the results. I am looking forward to the Compassion Care Center Of The Arts as I am sure it will bring hope and purpose to many boys and girls like Toby.
Child's name and image has been changed to protect confidentiality.
