Fostering Music
Media Kit

Use this kit to learn more about us and our mission at Fostering Music!

Fostering Music

Enriching the lives of foster children through music.

Contact Information

Media Contact: Christy Stitt
Email: cjstitt@fosteringmusic.com
Phone: (724) 859-6742
Address: 795 State Route 210, Shelocta, PA 15774

The Fostering Music Mission

Fostering Music is a charitable organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children currently in, or adopted out of, the foster care system, by providing musical instruments and quality music instruction in conjunction with local music stores. By partnering with local foster care agencies, we are able to identify the children in Western Pennsylvania with the greatest need.

Fast Facts About Fostering Music

As of January 2023:

6

Counties

40

Kids Supported

2,030

Lessons Provided

67

Instruments Donated

5

Partnering Schools

5

Partnering Teachers

5

Monthly Donors

Our Story

Fostering Music started with a simple observation: Purchasing an instrument and ongoing lessons is difficult and expensive. While taking her son, Luke, to drum practice one day, founder Christy Stitt realized how fortunate her family was to be capable of providing ongoing lessons to him.

In 2018, she embarked on a straightforward task: Using her connections within the foster care system, she asked if anyone in the Westmoreland County CASA agency network wanted a guitar for the holidays.

Christy and her family planned to give away five guitars.

But the agency came back with a request for 10.

Since then, Fostering Music has strived to deliver high-quality instruments and lessons to kids who have been in and through the foster care system.

About the Founder - Christy Stitt

Christ Stitt — Meet Christy

By day, Christy Stitt is a data scientist with one of the world’s leading CPAP therapy device manufacturers.
But by night, she’s the founder of Fostering Music.
Although her singing has been criticized and she can’t play an instrument or read sheet music, she’s passionate about bringing the creative outlet and therapeutic power of music to kids in need.

Parent/Guardian Testimonials

“Our 17-year-old granddaughter came to live with us recently during a very difficult time in her life. You providing this trumpet was a Godsend, as we didn’t have the money to buy her one. Thank you for providing this important gift of music to a young girl who is encouraged and surprised that a complete stranger would do this for her. You are a blessing!”
- Grandfather of a 17-year-old who received a trumpet

“Our son that we just adopted through the foster care system has a lot of anxiety. We … had no luck finding anything that he was willing to do that required leaving the house. At school … he discovered the electric piano and was instantly mesmerized by it. He loved that he can make his own music and wanted to have lessons to learn how … [O]ur son has opened up and blossomed and shown so much growth. With music … he is learning new ways to work through his anxiety. It is truly amazing to see how music can touch a child’s heart! We are forever grateful that such an amazing organization exists and can provide these services for foster/adoptive children!”
- Family of a 10-year-old pianist

Student Testimonials

“Getting a saxophone allowed me to practice something I love and am passionate about once again. The instrument gave me a chance to be myself and play.”
- D., Age 15

“Being able to continue piano lessons has meant a lot. It makes me feel good because I can express myself. I love to listen to songs and then try to play them. I also love learning how to read music — it builds my confidence.”
- V., Age 10