LBC Echo Fall 2022 - 6

By Hannah Wheeler ('21)
n Pennsylvania, more than 81,000 children have an
incarcerated parent. In Lancaster County alone, 4,600
children experience trauma due to the incarceration of
a parent. Diana Vuolo is a professional violinist and music
teacher of 50 years who seeks to come alongside these
children through an organization she founded in 2011: Scaling
Walls a Note at a Time (SWAN). And several LBC | Capital
students are reaching children in the SWAN program with
their musical abilities and passions.
Vuolo's husband is a pastor who spent time ministering to
criminal offenders. Through her husband's ministry, Vuolo
identified an overlooked area of incarceration. " I started seeing
how the trauma of an incarcerated parent affected their kids, "
said Vuolo, who then began to process how she could help
and find solutions.
" In every way trauma harms a child, music helps a child, "
Vuolo added. She used her passion and talents for music to
found SWAN, a nonprofit organization offering music classes,
in both the Lancaster County and Red Lion areas to children
who are experiencing trauma due to the incarceration of
a parent.
Besides the fact of the undeniable power of music, research
underscores its ability to improve the neurological, scholastic,
physical, emotional and social wellbeing of a child. Within
15 months of playing an instrument, there is actual brain
growth. Focus and IQ levels rise, stress levels are reduced,
and emotions are released. Children develop socially as they
work in ensembles and perform for others.
SWAN uses " music and prayer as a way to share the gospel
with the kids and their families, " said Gabriella Schulz ('23),
who is studying violin at LBC | Capital and interning at
SWAN. SWAN not only educates students on music, but the
organization also implements prayer and Bible devotions in
its after-school programs. Schulz believes God uses music to
glorify Himself and bring people together.
SWAN " impacts the entire community, " added Vuolo. The
program comforts the incarcerated parents to know their
child is cared for, invests in the development of the future
generation and offers a place for community members to
" serve those who Jesus had the greatest burden for-the
vulnerable. "
Through SWAN's internships, LBC | Capital students are
equipped in their field of study. Students who intern with
SWAN are given the ability to teach music lessons, work as
classroom aides and use their talents while working with
children during SWAN's summer and after-school programs.
Sarah Ziegler ('23), a Music Elective Studies major, is currently
engaged in her practicum with SWAN. " SWAN has been
instrumental in teaching and equipping me for future work, "
she said. Plus, SWAN has given Ziegler more than mere
experience in her field. Ziegler's " heart for ministry " within
music has grown since her time with SWAN; Ziegler's handson
work and her family's care of foster children has equipped
her to minister to children undergoing trauma.
Internships at SWAN offer experience for college students
who are learning their passions and want to use their abilities.
" I chose to intern with SWAN because I thought it would be a
great opportunity for me to get out into the world and have
a chance to be a light to young kids who are less privileged, "
said Schulz. " And also, to help get more experience with using
my gifts to bless others. "
Another LBC student sees how God is reaching the
community through the work at SWAN. " I see God using
SWAN to impact the community by teaching the students
in the program about prayer and about trusting God and His
ultimate plan, " said SWAN intern Haley Stahl ('25), an Early
Education major and Music minor. " They're learning about the
Father and how to live their daily lives in the image of God. "
Leading an organization like SWAN is no small feat, and Vuolo
admits she is a part of something " way beyond [her] capacity. "
But with the involvement of the community and faith in God's
ability to do the impossible, SWAN continues to make impact.
" It takes an entire community to make a nonprofit work, " said
Vuolo. Like college interns, community members can become
involved with SWAN as volunteer classroom assistants or by
hosting or participating in SWAN fundraisers. SWAN is also
an Educational Improvement Organization, which means
businesses who contribute to SWAN can receive earned
income tax credit through their donations.
This summer, SWAN students performed at Long's Park with
Grammy Award-winner Terrance Simien, sang the national
anthem at a Lancaster Barnstormers game and engaged in
various community performances. Vuolo shared that these
performances are important in the students' music education.
" Performing develops their confidence, gives them a sense
of accomplishment and the ability to serve others with their
talents. "
To learn more about SWAN, visit swan4kids.org.
6 ECHO
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http://www.swan4kids.org
LBC Echo Fall 2022

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