Jam and Bread

Mission: To provide mentorship and opportunity for students to explore their interests and expand their skill sets.

Jam & Bread is a nonprofit organization based in Cadillac, Michigan. We are a group of dedicated and passionate musicians who love to inspire the youth in our community to become involved in music. Accessible music, arts, and crafts education is needed in the Cadillac Area community because we have bright, talented youth who want a chance to shine.

In the wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, many kids struggled with isolation, a gap in academic and extracurricular education, and mental health challenges. People with disabilities (12% of Wexford County) and those who live in low-income households are especially impacted by these challenges. Marla Courtney, a musician and market master, began offering volunteer opportunities to neighborhood teens. Other musicians and artisans were inspired to formalize Jam & Bread in January 2023 to provide classes and programming for Cadillac Area youth.

We offer accessible music, arts, and crafts education to youth in the Cadillac area, aiming to inspire and benefit young individuals from all backgrounds.

Jam & Bread serves youths ages 7-17 involved in music lessons, crochet, beadwork, and sewing projects, and participation is growing! As more people in the Cadillac Area learn about Jam & Bread, we can involve volunteers’ skills, talents, and ideas to grow.