2010 Recipient: Jessica McKay
The 2010 Turning Point Prize of $15,000 was awarded to Jessica McKay and her Rock to the Future program. Rock to the Future, a new, free after school music education and youth development program, will open to Philadelphia area students this fall. The program focuses on the incorporation of music education with academics to create success in school and in life. In the first year, the program will be offered to 15 students. Each student will have the opportunity to select and learn an instrument, as well as obtaining homework help. Women for Social Innovation selected this program from the many applications received this year due to Jessica's tremendous entrepreneurial spirit, her passion and commitment in educating children.
More about Rock to Future...
The idea of Rock to the Future was first conceived in 2008 by Jessica McKay, a Temple University graduate with a degree in Business Administration and Economics. Jessica grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and has lived in Philadelphia for the past seven years. She worked for Janney Montgomery Scott after college, and began volunteering for Girls Rock Philly and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. As a local musician and community advocate, Jessica realized the importance of community and a good education, and saw the effects of the under funded public schools on Philadelphia youth. She decided to leave Janney Montgomery Scott this past January to pursue her dream of spreading music education to underprivileged youth, and created Rock to the Future.
