Nonprofit Performance 360 Magazine Vol 4 No 4

In2015,Hugworksmergedwith theKidLinks Foundation, to become KidLinks. The Hugworks name was retained for its online presence as Hugworks Children’s Network, which currently offers free streaming of about 100 songs in English and Spanish, as well as a growing number of animations, sing-along and relaxation videos, and a Music Therapy Channel. Each song addresses one or more of the challenges faced by children who are hospitalized or have other special needs. Everything we do now is written with some special need in mind, for example autism or some kind of body-altering cancer surgery. The Child Life and Child Development specialists that we have on our review teams make sure that our messages are age- appropriate and that they’re also appropriate in terms of helping kids normalize whatever traumatic or challenging environment they may be in. But the messages are just as good for kids who are normal, whatever that means. We feel that every child has a special need; some are just not as obvious as others. So our music is out there for everybody, but we particularly want to make hospitals aware of its availability. The Language of Love I have a life-long commitment as a Christian minister, ordained in the United Methodist Church, but I knew the hospitals wouldn’t let us come in as singers and use religious language in our songs. We had to use secular language, and I wanted to make sure that, regardless of their religious background or lack thereof, these kids could hear the message of unconditional love and of caring, concern, compassion and empathy: all those things that were so completely embodied in the life of Christ and his teachings. I wanted to be able to expose everybody to those in every way I could. When I first explained the project to singer/ songwriter Noel Paul Stookey and asked him to join us, I told him that we couldn’t use overt religious language, so we couldn’t say, God, Christ, or Jesus. Noel suggested Love, because scripture says that God is love, and that would be good enough for him. I knew then that we were on the same wavelength. Noel’s a very committed Christian and has always been able to bridge the gap between the church and the world. We have a supporter here in Texas who is also a very committed Christian, and he really wanted to help us, but he was bothered by

the fact that we don’t use religious language. He said that he could provide a lot more support if we used gospel language in our songs. I told him that the hospitals wouldn’t allow us to proselytize through our songs. But honestly,

I wouldn’t do it anyway because I don’t think Jesus showed up and said, “I’m a Jew and let me tell you all about the Jewish faith.” Jesus showed up and said, “Where do you hurt? I have a balm.” And that’s what we do. We approach people where they hurt, where the need is, and we offer a balm. It could be humor so that they can laugh and let off some steam. It could be relaxation so that they can be eased in a time of

turmoil. It could be a message of self-esteem, so that they feel better about who they are. It could be a message of diversity that helps them know that they’re whole, even though they may be missing an arm or a leg. I told this guy that I really honored his Christian commitment and I totally understood what he was saying, but I thought Jesus would want us to do it exactly like this. I didn’t think he was wrapped up in trying to take his religious doctrine and put it on other people. This supporter responded well, and paid off our building. But he had to be talked through that dilemma between religious language and world language first, how it’s really possible to take Jesus’ message and put it into terms that people can understand and be nurtured by, even though they don’t really know where it came from.The plaque we put on the building just said this: An anonymous Christian and energy business man from Dallas donated the building. Our congregation is spread over the whole world. People who have no resources can hear our songs. To me, it’s just a natural extension of ministry. Christ sent us all into the world and said that what you’re doing for people in need, you’re doing for me.

Jim Newton serves as the Program Director of KidLinks. Jim brings to KidLinks a wealth of musical experience and has worked with others to create a new discipline, Therapeutic Music Entertainment, while bringing the transforming and healing power of music into children’s hospitals and other special care settings. Jim holds a BA in Philosophy and a Master’s in Theology, and has trained and served as a hospital chaplain. www.thekidlinks.org www.hugworkschildrensnetwork.com

24 I Nonprofit Performance Magazine