In 1997, George and Robbie Hill had a heroic vision for the Southeast San Diego region in which they resided. For years, their neighborhood had been discounted and neglected, with a reputation for gang violence, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, high unemployment, and inadequate educational and recreational facilities. Committed to the belief that, given the opportunity, the youth of their community would flourish and respond to the exposure and involvement of arts and culture as an inspiring, uplifting alternative, George and Robbie Hill created Young Artists Music Academy.
The Academy serves as a safe place for the children of this community to spend their after school hours. In addition to providing education in music and computer technologies, George and Robbie have developed a comprehensive curriculum of life courses, including Healthy Living Classes, addressing topics ranging from gangs to anger management, and STD's to drug and alcohol abuse. Professional psychologists and featured guest speakers from law enforcement, healthcare, education, and the business community lead these classes. In addition to volunteering his time as executive director, George uses his computer skills to offer free computer technology classes to the children of the neighborhood. As a retired computer analyst, George secures donations in used computers, which he uses to instruct the students in disassembling and rebuilding high tech equipment with upgraded hardware. The students keep the computers upon completion of the class, a valuable gift in a community where most families cannot afford to buy computers, new or used. In six years and among the 650 youth who have participated in the program, none have reported unwanted pregnancies. Moreover, less than 2% have dropped out of school, have been arrested, or have gotten entangled in gang activity. All Young Artists Music Academy alums have graduated from high school -- and many now attend college.
Since almost all the students come from families living well below HUD qualifications for low-income status, George and Robbie reinvest all of the money the Academy raises or earns into running the Academys programs. The Hills draw neither salaries nor honorariums from the Academy. Their program fills an important void in the community, as no other after-school programs exist within eleven square miles of the neighborhood.
George and Robbie Hill are retired, yet they volunteer full time to make their organization work. The two give their all solely to benefit this community. They saw a need for additional educational facilities in this neighborhood, and have dedicated their lives to making something great happen. They touch the lives of so many in a community that is too often overlooked and written off. But George and Robbie Hill recognized the talent and possibilities of the youth here, and through the Young Artists Music Academy, the youth of this neighborhood have learned to create a new and beautiful music: Hope. To learn more about Young Artists Music Academy, please see their Web site at www.mada-choir.org.
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