For the past six years, Dean “DAC” Collins has been teaching guitar and harmonica to young people around Columbus. Through these classes, young people learn not only guitar and harmonica, but many life skills necessary to be successful. DAC teaches that through commitment and hard work, you can achieve anything. Since March, DAC has been at the Crisis Shelter every Wednesday to teach the youth who are staying there. “I’ll be here every Wednesday, no matter what. Even if the kids don’t want to do class, I’ll still be here working on making it better for next week.”
DAC brings five guitars and a jar full of new harmonicas to each class. Additionally, DAC and another donor purchased and donated four additional guitars for us to keep at the shelter. The class consists of learning how to tune a guitar, a few beginner chords, and a few beginner tunes on harmonica. Throughout this, DAC gives a presentation that includes motivational messages and stories to inspire the participants to become the best version of themselves.
As an officer in the Columbus Police Department, DAC uses this class to also build relationships within the community. His goal is to build stronger outreach into underserved areas in Columbus and engage more officers in this class. The young people staying in the shelter always look forward to Wednesday because they know DAC will be coming. We couldn’t be more appreciative of DAC’s commitment to the organization and to the young people we serve. Thank you, DAC!
