In August 2023, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware took their MAVerick Studio Live Bus for its inaugural spin, and it has been changing music education across the state ever since. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware runs 42 clubs statewide, with each club offering a variety of programs to enrich the minds and bodies of its students.
The First Note
In 2021, the Greater Newark Boys & Girls Club opened the MAVerick music studio with professional audio and video equipment. The program is a component of a nationwide non-profit, The Music & Youth Initiative, which is part of a larger partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
The program grew in popularity among the teens when Bernard Parker, the club's Music Director, began teaching songwriting and podcasting. This A+ project left the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware's staff with a homework assignment- how could they share this successful program statewide in a budget-friendly way?
 |
The answer was something that kids used daily - a school bus.
The interior of their Mobile Studio has couches, microphones, double electric power options, soundproofing, and professional sound and video equipment. On board, students learn songwriting, music production, podcasting, television and video production, creative writing, and content creation.
The Mobile Studio's electric blue exterior is splashed with an eye-catching graffiti design from KJ-52, an award-winning hip-hop artist. It also is equipped with ports for hanging monitors for outside video game tournaments. It also has a wheelchair ramp, making it accessible to everyone.
 |
Finding Partners That Perfectly Aligned With the Project and Mission
One of the main drivers of the project is Stuart Sherman, one of three vice presidents of operations for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware. He helped come up with the project idea and secured funding. The funding for the bus came from a Substance Abuse Block Grant—federal money that comes through the state of Delaware—meant to fund drug abuse prevention.
Stuart turned to Facebook to help find project collaborators, and one name–Studio Express– kept popping up. This RV and Bus Renovation Studio is run by Erick and Krystle Lopez, a Florida husband and wife creative force. Krystle spent decades as an occupational therapist, and Erick has spent 25 years in design and construction.
 |
Four Wheels, One Mission, and Hundreds of Changed Lives
It took one year to create the design concepts, three months of construction, and two days to drive the 1,200 miles from Fort Myers to Wilmington. It hasn’t stopped moving since - serving as an incentive for students who complete the Botvin LifeSkills Training (health and life skills). We’ve already received tremendous support,” exclaimed Sherman. “Both the little kids and teens have both said, ‘Wow, that is cool.’ When that happens, we know we are doing something right!”
Since 1931, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware has offered affordable before, after, and out-of-school programs. Their organization serves around 30,000+ young people in grades K-12 a year. They are currently looking for local partners, events, and volunteers throughout the state. You can follow their adventures on Facebook or Instagram.
Photos by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware
