Shawn Mendes Foundation Canada launches “Wonder of Music,”
The Shawn Mendes Foundation Canada committed $1 Million to launch and fund the “Wonder of Music”, music therapy & education programming at SickKids in Toronto
Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes announced a million-dollar commitment from the Shawn Mendes Foundation Canada to launch and fund “Wonder of Music,” a music therapy program, at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto on Thursday. The program will support various music therapy activities including songwriting, custom lullabies, music education, and even the creation of original pieces of music set to the sounds of a patient’s heartbeat.
"SickKids is a very special place to me and my hometown of Toronto, and I’m so honoured to support such an important program"
Mendes was moved to commit this amount on behalf of his Foundation after hearing more about SickKids’ patient and family-centred approach to music therapy, which compelled him to help the hospital expand and enhance its music therapy program. Music therapists work with infants, children and youth at SickKids through individualized sessions, and songwriting designed to help patients cope with their time in the hospital, supporting bonding with their families and legacy building. The “Wonder of Music program” will also serve as many infants’ and children’s first exposure to music. For some children and families, music is a way to soothe, and others use it as a bonding experience – especially when parents are unable to hold their young children.
“We are so grateful to Shawn and The Shawn Mendes Foundation Canada for their incredible support of SickKids and the music therapy program,” said Carolyn Marshall, Certified Music Therapist, SickKids. “For many children and families in the hospital, music therapy is an opportunity to express and process a complex range of emotions – such as anger, hurt, happiness, fear or hope – in a creative way. This generous gift will allow us to continue to support our patients through music.”
An innovative therapy offered by Music Therapists at SickKids is the creation of heartbeat songs – original pieces of music set to the sounds of a child’s heart. Inspired by conversations with family and friends, the lyrics recall cherished memories and highlight aspects of the patient’s unique personality.
Mendes, who founded The Shawn Mendes Foundation in 2019, is a Toronto-native and has a deep history of supporting SickKids. “SickKids is a very special place to me and my hometown of Toronto, and I’m so honoured to support such an important program,” Mendes noted. “Music has made such a profound impact in my life and is no doubt a form of therapy to me. I can only hope the Wonder of Music Program will help SickKids patients, families, and staff benefit from its power as well.”
For information about The Shawn Mendes Foundation Canada, including how Canadian residents can donate, please visit ShawnMendesFoundation.org.
