The new organization, Healing Hands, seeks to utilize music as more than just a method of self expression or a way to pass the time — they want to help people forget their troubles, even during their darkest hours.
Over the summer, Ashley Cantu and Ilon Weinstein decided they wanted to make a difference. Both were interested in health care and music, so they started a GoFundMe with a vision: bring music to those who need it most.
And thus, Healing Hands was born.
The budding organization has since performed music in and donated keyboards to a local children’s hospital and performed music for the residents at Brookdale Meadowmont, an assisted living facility.
You might call what Healing Hands does something between music therapy and a courtesy visit.
“We’re not going to places to give musical therapy,” said Cantu. “It’s more something that doesn’t really have any downsides. It makes people happy.”
Both Cantu and Weinstein felt there is a real need for their services in the Chapel Hill/Durham area.
“We believe that music can be very healing in a way. It makes (the patient’s) hospital visits a little bit nicer, or their time at the assisted living facility," Weinstein said. "It gives them a chance to escape.”
Cantu echoed Weinstein’s thoughts about the difference music can make in someone’s life.