The Gift of a Lifetime

On Sunday January 7, 2018 at his Vibrato Grill Jazz Club, legendary Grammy award-winning musician, recording industry executive, and philanthropist Herb Alpert and his wife Lani, donated $2 million to establish The Eden Alpert Therapeutic Music Program at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services in Los Angeles, California in honor of Herb’s daughter Eden. Vista Chair, Laurie Konheim received the foundation's check, expressing profound gratitude.

This life affirming legacy gift was granted through The Herb Alpert Foundation to Vista Del Mar, a 110-year-old, four-star Charity Navigator rated social service agency whose mission it is to promote compassion and creativity through innovative, transformative programs. Vista is a leader in providing children and families with specialized educational, mental health, autism, adoptions and early intervention services.

The Eden Alpert Therapeutic Music Program was created to provide children with learning disabilities a safe environment to explore their artistic potential while developing a greater appreciation of music.

"The entire Alpert family has maintained a strong connection with Vista Del Mar for more than 50 years, explains Rona Sebastian, President of the Herb Alpert Foundation. "The Eden Alpert Therapeutic Music Program grows out of that long-term history, and brings together the Foundation's passion to support the arts for all young people and encourage an environment that nurtures compassion and well-being".

While on stage presenting his gift to Vista's music program students and leadership, Herb Alpert sang the only song recorded on his albums, "This Guys in Love with You," written by Burt Bacharach, to his daughter Eden. “Lani and I are so proud of you”.

Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship. It has tangible sustained impact on children with special needs. Music therapy is conducted by credentialed professionals who have completed an approved music therapy program; interventions can be designed to:

• Promote wellness
• Manage stress
• Alleviate pain
• Express feelings
• Enhance memory
• Improve communication

Vista Del Mar provides therapeutic arts programming, including music, both as an elective class during school hours, and as an after-school program for residents. Through these initiatives children have increased self-esteem, have the opportunity to learn an instrument of their choice, are able to perform in front of an audience, and have increased school attendance.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and students of Vista Del Mar, I want to thank The Alpert Foundation for this transformative gift”, said Nancy Tallerino, Vista President and CEO. “It will forever change our ability to offer cutting edge music therapy and education to our students. The Alpert grant ensures that we have the resources to educate, engage, and enrich our students and by extension, ultimately better the diverse communities from which they came. We are forever grateful.”

A 2006 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Herb Alpert’s albums have sold over 72 million copies; 29 of his records have reached the Billboard 200. Herb and his wife, Lani Hall Alpert, a Grammy award-winning vocalist, have dedicated their lives to philanthropy, funding programs that include arts education, jazz and support to professional artists. Through the Herb Alpert Foundation, they have endowed the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, the Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts and most recently the Music Department at Los Angeles City College. This gift to LACC provides free tuition, additional private lessons and further financial aid to music majors. Herb has also established the Herb Alpert Scholarships for Emerging Young Artists at California State Summer School for the Arts, and the Herb Alpert Award in the Arts administered by Cal Arts for the past 23 years.

Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services has cared for Los Angeles' most vulnerable children for over a century, providing a range of exceptional programs in education, mental health, autism, adoption, residential care, prevention and early intervention. Vista's programs are for children with social, emotional and behavioral challenges, wrapping love and support around the entire family and is today is Los Angeles' most prominent resource for children of the Autism Spectrum. Vista Del Mar is a national role model in providing these specialized services and therapeutic treatment for children of all circumstance and ability.

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