Melina Garcia of Union City was shocked to learn that 21% of the population of Union City, mostly immigrants, lived below the poverty line. With a vision to have orchestral music become a vehicle for social change, Melina partnered with the City of Union City and the Union City Board of Education to launch in 2012 United Children’s Music Project, an after-school music program with 50 city pre-school children. Teaching beginners with paper maché violins in the “Paper Orchestra” program, UCMP’s classically trained teaching artists instruct older children to play real strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion instruments.

Each year, more than 100 three-to-18 year olds from Union City, North Bergen, Jersey City, Weehawken and West New York participate. Melina has been at the helm of this grassroots non-profit, without pay, since its inception, selflessly focusing on accomplishing her vision: inspiring academic excellence, enhancing life skills and building community through music education.

For her tireless advocacy, Melina is the winner of the $25,000 award.

UCMP provides music education, orchestral instruction, as well as mentoring services for predominantly low-income children and youth, in Hudson County. Programs serve children from 3- years of age and up. Students receive 24 hours per month of instruction, free instruments and performance opportunities in the NJ/NY metro area. The students also participate in cultural, social and enrichment experiences. Families pay on a sliding scale.