Every Voice Matters

When musician and professional mentor Steffon arrived at school with his recording equipment, the plan was simple: have Jim read a book out loud and record it together. But when they discovered that Jim wasn’t allowed to check out a library book that day, the two quickly pivoted and found an even more meaningful way to connect.

Rather than put the project on hold, Steffon encouraged Jim to create a story of his own. Jim jumped at the opportunity. As he dreamed up the narrative, Steffon wrote everything down. Then, as part of their reading practice, Jim placed his finger under each word while he read his story aloud. Steffon recorded his voice over one of his own music tracks, combining literacy, creativity, and rhythm into one unforgettable experience.

When Jim heard the playback of his voice telling a story he had created, he lit up. It wasn’t just about practicing reading anymore—it was about seeing (and hearing) himself as a creator and someone worth listening to.

Now, the two are continuing their storytelling project. Each session brings more reading practice and more opportunities for Jim to build confidence in his voice. With Steffon's support, what started as a reading exercise has grown into something bigger.

Learning isn’t always linear. Progress looks different for every child. But when youth are paired with a mentor who understands their needs and meets them where they are, beautiful things happen.