A key component of Law Rocks’ mission is to promote music education for underserved youth. In 2023, due to our increased sponsorship and fundraising, Law Rocks was able to offer a new grant at each Law Rocks show: The Music Matters grant. This grant, continuing in 2025, is given to a local nonprofit that supports youth music education in each of our U.S. tour cities. Omi Crawford, director of Law Rocks, says of the grant initiative:
“Since our 2009 founding, Law Rocks has supported hundreds of incredible nonprofits, with an emphasis on youth music education organizations. The Music Matters grant is a natural evolution of our mission and a chance to formalize our support of amazing music education nonprofits across the country.”
Today’s spotlight is on our 2025 Law Rocks Los Angeles Night Three Music Matters grant recipient, Ketchum-Downtown YMCA.
One of three 2025 Los Angeles Music Matters Grant Recipients: Ketchum-Downtown YMCA| Photo courtesy of Ketchum-Downtown YMCA
1) Can you tell us a little about the history of your nonprofit, as well as its mission and focus?
The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, of which the Ketchum-Downtown YMCA is a leading branch, is one of the oldest, largest, and highest-impact Y Associations in the world. From its beginning in 1882, when Los Angeles had fewer than 20,000 inhabitants, to today -- that number now exceeds 4 million -- the Y has continued to evolve in how it meets community needs while remaining dedicated to its mission of bringing communities together. We offer a wide spectrum of programs that address the needs of youth and families across LA through 26 local branches, 3 camp sites, and more than 170 program locations that together include more than 250,000 members and benefit more than 500,000 participants spread over 100 square miles across Greater LA. No one is denied membership due to an inability to pay. Our mission at the Ketchum-Downtown YMCA is to strengthen and unite the diverse communities of Downtown Los Angeles by offering opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to grow, thrive, and contribute. Through our focus on Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Impact, we empower people with programs that promote well-being, foster inclusion, and inspire positive change. We are a catalyst for transformation, creating a future where everyone has the chance to belong and lead.
2) What is the best example of the way you’ve seen your organization’s work make a difference?
A recent deeply moving example of our impact came during the wildfire recovery response. In the wake of the devastating wildfires, the Y became a vital support system, transforming into a community hub offering emergency childcare, essential supplies, and a safe space for families. Beyond immediate relief, we are committed to supporting long-term community recovery.
At the same time, our commitment to nurturing the human spirit is vividly expressed through our musicprograms at Hoover Elementary. By partnering with organizations like USC’s music school and Music for food, where volunteers perform and mentor students, we not only enrich young lives but also build lasting community bonds and instill hope for a brighter future.
These two examples exemplify the heart and soul of our work-meeting urgent needs while empowering individuals to express themselves, heal, and thrive through the transformative power of music and community connection.
Photo courtesy of Ketchum-Downtown YMCA
3) What are some upcoming initiatives that you are planning for?
In our ongoing commitment to community response and resilience, we are expanding our wildfire recovery support beyond immediate crisis relief. Our next phase will deepen long-term recovery efforts by enhancing our case management approach to ensure affected families have the tools and stability for lasting recovery.
At the same time, our passion for the transformative power of music and art inspires us to broaden our creative initiative. Building on the success of our programs at Hoover Elementary, we plan to launch additional no-cost music lessons and interactive arts experiences. By strengthening community partnerships, these programs aim to nurture young talents and foster creative expression that will uplift and unite our community.
4) What is the greatest challenge your organization faces?
The greatest challenge our organization faces is shifting the public perception of who we truly are. Many still view us just a fitness facility, when in fact we are a community center that offers much more. Beyond fitness, we provide enriching music and arts programs, youth sports, educational initiatives, and additional services that enrich our community. Communicating this expansive mission can be a challenge. It is not only about showcasing our diverse programming, but also conveying the transformative impact these programs have on individuals and our overall community. We work tirelessly to tell our story through compelling narratives, data, and the voices of those whose lives have been changed by our services. Yet, capturing the full spectrum of our holistic approach in a single message remains a challenge, one that we continue to overcome by engaging with our community and partners in innovative and heartfelt ways.
Photo courtesy of Ketchum-Downtown YMCA
5) What does the power of music mean to you?
The power of music lies in its ability to connect us across cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. It is a universal language that is beyond words, allowing us to communicate emotions, stories, and ideas. Musicbrings people together through emotional experience. It gives us clarity when we feel uncertain, calms us in moments of stress, and soothes the soul in ways we can’t often explain. Whether we seek comfort, celebration, or connection, music is always there. It unites us, helping us feel understood, and it reminds us that no matter our differences, we are never alone.
6) How will the Music Matters grant be used?
We will use the Music Matters Grant as a stepping stone to expand our music and arts programming. The grant will enable us to build on our successful initiatives—like our no-cost guitar lessons at Hoover Elementary—by broadening access to diverse musical experiences for youth and families in our community, helping us secure resources, and fostering new partnerships. We want to continue to empower children to explore their creativity, build confidence, and cultivate a lifelong love of music through hands-on learning experiences and performance opportunities at no cost.
Learn more about Ketchum-Downtown YMCA.
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