April Rooks – AMPED Kids - Business RadioX ® -

♫ 𝄞 ♫ Can music be the key to unlocking a child’s potential? ♫ 𝄞 ♫

During this episode of North Georgia Business Radio, Phil Bonelli and Beau Henderson are exploring the incredible impact of AMPED Kids, a local nonprofit organization using the power of music to empower and heal children who have experienced trauma.

April Rooks, founder of Amped Kids, is sharing her inspiring journey of turning a moment of inspiration into a statewide movement.

From its humble beginnings in 2018 to now serving children across Georgia and even expanding to Nashville, AMPED Kids is making waves in the foster care community and beyond.

April’s story is a testament to the power of following your passion and using your unique talents to serve others.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a music lover, or simply someone looking to make a positive impact, you’ll find inspiration in April’s story and the work of AMPED Kids.

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Highlights Of The Show

01:12 – 02:42

Introduction to Amped Kids, a nonprofit organization helping foster children heal through music and songwriting therapy.
April shares that her own childhood trauma and experience as a musician inspired her to start the nonprofit.

02:42 – 04:12

How Amped Kids started:
- April was inspired after attending a CASA event in 2017.
- She realized the impact of music in healing childhood trauma.
- She used her 20+ years of music experience to help foster children.

04:12 – 07:11

How the nonprofit launched (2018):
- Partnered with North Georgia Community Foundation to gain a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorship.
- Hosted a launch event, quickly gained funding.
- By 2019, served nearly 100 children through music programs.

07:11 – 10:39

Key takeaways from Amped Kids’ growth:
- April emphasizes the power of action—many people have ideas, but few take steps to execute them.
- She immediately built a team and leveraged partnerships instead of doing everything alone.
- Lesson: Don’t wait to start—take action and adapt as you go.

10:39 – 13:08

Entrepreneurship insights from Bo Henderson:
- Success comes from momentum and movement.
- Many people fail because they wait too long to take action.
- April’s approach—building a network, finding experts, and starting small—was key.

13:08 – 16:35

How Amped Kids expanded statewide:
- Initially started in Hall County, now operates across Georgia.
- Partners with group homes, schools, and foster agencies.
- Music talent show started in 2021 as a way to engage kids.
- Established a recording studio in a foster home to teach music production.

16:35 – 19:30

The power of music in mental health:
- Amped Kids collaborates with schools, counselors, and social workers.
- Music is used as therapy to help children cope with trauma.
- New chapter launched in Nashville, TN, backed by the ACM Lifting Lives grant.

19:30 – 26:46

Funding and expansion:
- Sponsorship program: $100/month covers a child’s full-year lessons, instruments, and supplies.
- Monthly donors are crucial to sustaining the program.
- Grant partnerships help expand outreach to more children in need.

26:46 – 30:56

Transformational impact: Addie’s Story
- Addie, a foster child, used songwriting to express emotions she couldn’t verbalize.
- After joining Amped Kids, she gained confidence and started opening up during therapy.
- Her songwriting transformed her mindset from victim to survivor.

30:56 – 37:41

The importance of giving back:
- April emphasizes that helping others heals the giver as well.
- Encourages people to volunteer and contribute in any way they can—whether through time, money, or skills.

37:41 – 40:30

Final thoughts:
- Encouragement to take action: If you have a passion, find a way to make it happen.
- Music is not just entertainment—it’s a tool for healing.
- Visit ampedkids.org to donate, volunteer, or sponsor a child.