The Multicultural Program at The Center for Grieving Children presents "INNER STRENGTH" A CD Release Party

The Multicultural Program at The Center for Grieving Children presents "INNER STRENGTH" A CD Release Party
Editor: David Mills



Students Resettled in Portland from Wartorn Countries Write and Record a CD


PORTLAND, ME - On Wednesday, May 9, the kids involved in the Multicultural Program at Portland's Center for Grieving Children will celebrate the release of "Inner Strength," a CD of songs they wrote and recorded this spring.  The release party will be held at One Longfellow Square, 181 State Street in Portland. A reception will take place at 6:00 pm, followed at 6:30 with an intercultural community gathering featuring a medley of speakers, music and dance. The evening will include live performances of some of the songs; performances by the Dynamite Dancers and Portland Youth Dancers, and appearances by Portland Mayor Michael Brennan and Hamady N'Daiye of the Portland Red Claws, among others. Suggested donations will be accepted at the door.

Over 40 children participate in the CGC Multicultural Program each year from a diverse range of countries including Honduras, El Salvador, Kenya, Somalia, Nigeria, Congo, Vietnam, Sudan, Iraq, Uganda, and Haiti. Their feelings about isolation, war, and racism mix with recognition of the power of love and community in this seven-song album. They worked with Portland musician and founder of "Your Song, Your Story," Billy Libby, to write their songs. The Studio in Portland, and the Grammy-Award winning staff at Gateway Mastering donated their services to record and master the CD.

“We appreciate so many members of Portland’s diverse music and arts community coming together to make this project possible,” said Anne Lynch, Executive Director of the Center for Grieving Children.  “It is exciting to know that the voices of the children we serve will be heard by so many as a result of this CD.”

Three years ago while at USM, Maine native Billy Libby was inspired by his internship at the Center and went on to found “Your Song, Your Story,” a program for children who have experienced loss or trauma. He works with the children in a group setting to write lyrics and melodies to create songs that are then professionally produced and recorded.

Marking its fifteenth year of service, the Center’s Multicultural Program is conducted in collaboration with Portland Schools. It receives funding from individuals and foundations including, this year, the New York Life Foundation, as part of a national effort by the foundation to help expand grief support services to diverse and disadvantaged youth in local areas across the country.


The Center for Grieving Children, based in Portland, Maine, serves more than 4,000 grieving children, teens, families, and young adults annually through peer support, outreach, and education. Offering our services at no charge, for as long as people need them, the Center’s mission is to provide loving support that encourages the safe expression of grief and loss and fosters each individual’s resilience and emotional well-being. The Center reaches individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, and relies on financial contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, United Way, and special events. For more information, call (207) 775-5216 or visit www.cgcmaine.org.