Made Possible by Generous Support from Sweetwater and Ford Meter Box Foundation
Josiah White’s announces the addition of music therapy to residential
program offerings at their Wabash, Indiana campus. Funding partners Sweetwater and Ford Meter Box Foundation generously invested in this life-changing program.
There is no denying that music has a strong psychological impact. Different types of music can significantly impact a person’s mood, helping them process a wide range of emotions. And it’s
not just because music evokes feelings; there’s science behind the effect music and music therapy have on us.
Studies show that music impacts numerous parts of the brain, including those involved in emotion, cognition, sensory, and movement. Music therapy has been used for millennia as a therapeutic aid and is effective in treating depression, anxiety, hypertension and more. Josiah White’s anticipates music therapy will help promote physical, mental and social well-being for residential students, providing a nonverbal way to communicate and helping students regulate emotions.
“Music provides a non-threatening environment for students to explore difficult emotions related to trauma and its impact on mental and behavioral health,” said Misty Kern, music therapist at Josiah White’s. “It is exciting to have a program available for residential students who have already participated in other widely available treatment modalities, but haven’t had access to music therapy in the past.”

Sweetwater generously contributed funds to renovate the music room and provided a long-list of musical instruments. Their team of music professionals also helped determine the musical instruments that would be most valuable in a music therapy program. “Music has the extraordinary power to uplift our spirits, bring us together, and spark inspiration,” said Jeff Ostermann, Chief People and Culture Officer at Sweetwater. “At Sweetwater, we believe in amplifying that power wherever we can–because we’ve seen how music can heal, empower, and transform lives. That’s why we’re so passionate about supporting programs like this and connecting people with the opportunity to feel the hope, joy, and connection that music can provide.”
Ford Meter Box Foundation invested in covering the salary and benefits for newly-hired Music Therapist, Misty Kern.
“We are thankful for the generous support from Sweetwater and Ford Meter Box Foundation, for without their support we would not have been able to add this valuable offering to our residential programming,” said Kristina Johnson Nussbaum, VP of Advancement at Josiah White’s.