Nexus-Mille Lacs Family Healing

DeAndre's Story

DeAndre came to us from the Minneapolis area as young man who struggled with anger issues and expressing emotions. He initially felt like he didn’t need treatment and had little interest in self-betterment. DeAndre slowly began applying himself by seeking peer support and started the process of mending relationships with family. Still there was something missing. He desperately missed the one thing that really centered him—his music. 

When DeAndre first arrived at Nexus-Mille Lacs, our agency did not have a means for youth to access music of their choice. Nexus-Mille Lacs launched a pilot program to grant access to MP3s. DeAndre was one of the first in line to participate! 

The new program launched in September 2021 and has been a great success. Now Nexus-Mille Lacs youth are able use their music to calm themselves, to relax, to regulate an overly stimulating environment, or to just escape for a bit. A typical Nexus-Mille Lacs youth has experienced multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences, and now they can utilize music to self-soothe as positive coping strategy.

“Music is reliable and helps (me) to know others are feeling how I am feeling.”
-DeAndre

DEANDRE’S SUCCESS – AND THE SUCCESS OF OTHER CHILDREN AND FAMILIES – IS MADE POSSIBLE THANKS TO THE GENEROUS COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS WHO CARE AND CONTINUE TO REMEMBER US EACH YEAR. PEOPLE LIKE YOU!