Rock For Kids began as a holiday fundraising effort in 1988 with the goal of providing gifts for children living in homeless shelters. Rock For Kids has since increased its services exponentially to include its flagship music education program, Youth Jam.

Youth Jam brings free year-round music education to underprivileged and homeless children throughout the Chicago area. Through free music lessons Rock For Kids works to improve the self-esteem and confidence of the students, while introducing them to the joy of music. Initiated in 2000, with twenty students, the program now serves close to 500 children annually at fifteen Chicago sites.

Rock For Kids is a licensed Illinois 501(c)(3) organization. Only 11% of all income is spent on fundraising costs. All contributions are fully tax-deductible.

Find out More about Rock For Kids and Youth Jam:
Chicago Tribune Article (December 4, 2006)
UR Chicago Article (June 2008)

Board of Directors
Megan Jones – President
Seann Price - Vice President
Mike Mitchell – Treasurer
Leslee Larson – Secretary

Rebecca Borges

Paul Bradley

Paul Doppelt

Xan Guzik

Tom Hansen

Katie Kozlowski

Aric Simons

Steve Traxler

Donna Sue Van Cleaf

Honorary Board Members
Arny Granat & Jerry Mickelson, JAM Productions
Martin Atkins, Invisible Records, Public Image Ltd., Instructor Columbia College
Buddy Guy, Blues Legend
Tera Healy, The Recording Academy
Jon Langford, The Mekons, Waco Brothers, Wee Hairy Beasties
Johnny Marr, Modest Mouse, The Smiths
Rick Nielsen, Cheap Trick
Joe Shanahan, Metro
Kim Stiffle, Founder
Katie and Tim Tuten, The Hideout
Nan Warshaw, Bloodshot Records
Norm Winer, WXRT

Advisory Council
Nicole F. Boland, JAM Productions, LA
Ramina Forsyth, Park West
Terry Fox, Big Bang Productions
Sharyl Holtzman, Former Executive Director
Fritz Kielsmeier, Standing Ovation
Mike Kightly, Medtar
Rick Kleinman, Chicago Rock Exchange
Richard Luebbe, Robert W. Baird
David Nimerov, Robert W. Baird
Scottie Patrick,Style Guru
Chris Schuba, SPIN Magazine, Schubas
Rick Sudakoff, Atlantic Records
Wayne Zinder, Reflected Image