For best friends Addison and Morgan, music has the ability to heal.
They have an idea to share that ability, especially with those who need it the most.
“Morgan and I always connected with music, and we want to help kids,” Addison said.
“Everyone likes music,” Morgan said. “This is a way to make them feel special, make them feel they belong.”
Their idea is like Make a Wish with rock stars. They will provide free concert tickets to children and teens who are struggling with mental illness. They call their new organization, ‘The Overlooked.?
‘Mental disorders are often overlooked and seen as not important, but we are addressing the topic because they are just as important as a physical injury or illness,” Addison said.
“People don’t pay much attention to people with mental disabilities,” Morgan said.
They both have friends on the internet struggling with mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar, bulimia, anorexia, and other eating disorders.
The two friends, both freshmen at Clarkston Junior High School, came up with the idea for the non-profit organization during physics class.
“We started this organization in Physics class one day, getting inspiration from our teacher (Jonathon Paddock),” Addison said. “We want to open door to all types of disorders. We want to give to people who want to see their favorite bands or artists.”
Halsey, an alternative, electropop music artist and one of their favorites, commented on the idea on social media.
‘She tweeted, someone should start this, it would be really cool,? Morgan said. ‘We tried to contact her. We’ll keep trying.?
‘We’ll just keep pushing and getting bigger,? Addison said. “This is a new thing for us. We’re only freshmen. We’re learning along the way.”
“We hope to get bigger and make an impact on people,” Morgan said.
They both enjoy alternative, classic rock, and punk music. Some of their favorite bands are All Time Low, State Champs, Twenty One Pilots, White Stripes, Green Day, Blink-182, and One Direction.
Those are the types of bands they have in mind for their project.
‘We are receiving stories from people who are struggling and we are trying our best so that they can see their favorite bands who saved and helped them live,? Addison said. “The tickets would be totally free, but we need donations to be able to pay for them. Eventually, we wish to have the child or teen meet the band, but we need bands and artists and venues on board with this idea.”
The plan is to start small in Michigan, then go nationwide, she said.
“Our goal is to make someone happy, even for a couple hours at a concert. To see someone happy is such a refreshing feeling,” she said.
They have started receiving donations from friends and family, and they’re contacting dozens of agents and venues, Addison said.
‘We have stuff from Fox Theater, Crow’s Foot,? she said. ‘We plan to have this organization reach all places over Michigan.
A link on their website, Theoverlookedorganization.com, provides a way to donate. Send emails about someone struggling with a disorder to theoverlookedmusic@gmail.com.