On what would have been Chris Cornell’s 53rd birthday, Seattle-based nonprofit Childhaven has announced the Chris Cornell Music Therapy Program following a $100,000 donation from his widow, Vicky Cornell.
Seattle-based nonprofit Childhaven has announced the Chris Cornell Music Therapy Program after a large donation from his widow Vicky Cornell.
The organisation’s focus is towards helping children and their families overcome the effects of trauma.
“The Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation is excited to join Childhaven to support its extraordinary work impacting the lives of those in need,” Vicky Cornell told Rolling Stone.
“Chris and I always shared a strong belief in the healing and inspiring power of music, and through Childhaven’s establishment of this program, we are able to keep the promise for Chris by continuing to protect the world’s most vulnerable children.”
The program will be open for kids from birth to age 5, aimed specifically at helping those who have suffered experiences such as abuse, neglect, domestic violence and chemical dependency develop healthily through the creative outlet of music.
In a press statement, Childhaven CEO Jon Bottem said, “Music has the power to engage, to delight, and to heal. Thanks to the Chris & Vicky Cornell Foundation, more of our most vulnerable children will be able to use music to build the resilience they need to reach their full potential.”
Check out the Childhaven website here.
Also in honour of Cornell’s 53rd birthday, Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard posted a heartfelt letter on the band’s website, which you can read below:
I keep waking up in the middle of the night and remember, fresh again, that you are gone. An absence grows in my stomach and slowly turns circles like a far off galaxy on a grainy tv.
The same questions follow and my heart races…searching for reasons and what ifs..
I’m so selfishly sad that I’ll never get to see you again, never play with you again, never feel the bask of your approval or be part of your life.
Fuck….
We all miss you so much…it was always a given in my mind we would all spend more time together when we got older, we would play more music and love and be loved like we dreamed…this was your time and you shared it with us…thank you.
You were too much…
Your talent was jaw dropping…your songs, lyrics, your voice…how could you have all 3…
And then, the not so obvious…your wicked sense of humor and your playfulness…
all of us are heartsick and we will never get over losing you.
We hope you’re in peace and that your particles are mutating and transforming in harmony with nature. We wish your family our utmost condolences and sympathies.
We love you Chris,
Happy Birthday
