We employ a trauma-informed approach in providing culturally relevant arts instruction, scholastic coaching and cohesive mentorship for at-risk children ages 7-18. Focusing on life-skills development and job readiness, our goal is to ensure that every student is prepared for a positive transition into adulthood.

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2436 US-1

Vero Beach, FL 32960

(772) 999-3012

Our Teaching Artists love taking our show on the road! Outside of our flagship campus in Indian River County, we actively maintain dozens of outreach initiatives alongside our community partners across Florida & beyond!

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2008: The Motivational Edge Founded

ME was born in 2008, Founded by Mr. Ian Welsch, who saw the future of his community and its children slipping through the crevices of a deteriorating educational system and the systematic removal of arts from the traditional classroom.

Early 2011: First Programming Launched & First Grant

In early 2011, we began our first reading camps aligned with Miami Dade County Public Schools. In April, we received our first health and literacy grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield!

Summer 2011: His House Partnership & More Programming

In July 2011, ME began efforts with His House. Today the partnership is more than a decade old and has helped thousands of children. Additionally, we launched academic, music and physical education programming for over 150 foster youth.

September 2011: First Audio Recordings

Towards the end of 2011, the first audio recordings were created and performed live on stage by ME youth.

June 2012: Allapattah Music & Literacy Center Opens

The Allapattah Music & Literacy Center opens to provide a safe learning environment for at risk youth after almost a year of building and staffing.

September 2013: Major Grants Awarded

The Target Foundation and Dollar General Literacy Foundation become the first major retail sponsors of The Motivational Edge. This grant money funded innovative ME programs for youth throughout Miami, Florida.

December 2013: ME and Lil’ Wayne

Lil’ Wayne partners with us E for an Indiegogo campaign to serve hundreds of youth in Phoenix, Arizona.

March 2014: Knights Arts Challenge

ME is awarded a $50,000 Knight Arts Challenge grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation for Lyrical Expression and Audio Recording programs.

September 2014: Allapattah Music & Literacy Center x Irie Foundation Partnership

Miami, FL., July 22, 2014 (Newswire.com) – The Motivational Edge’s Allapattah Music and Literacy Center will be renamed IRiE Foundation Allapattah Music and Literacy Center. A generous donation of $75,000 gives IRiE Foundation exclusive naming rights to this center for the length of one-year. The funding will directly support the ever-growing music, arts and academic based programming offered to the under-resourced youth from Allapattah and the surrounding areas of Brownsville and Liberty City.

Fall 2015: Homeless Youth Partnership

An alliance between ME and Chapman Partnership is announced where ME serves hundreds of youth.

Fall 2015: Berklee College of Music Partnership

ME is announced as one of Berklee College of Music’s City Music Partners. As one of the 46 full members of the Berklee City Music Network, ME youth receive valuable guidance and support from world-renowned musicians and professionally trained instructors, exposing them to unique experiences, including scholarship opportunities.

Dec 2015: KIND Snacks Partnership

The Edge holds an Art Basel student showcase in Wynwood in conjunction with KIND snacks.

January 2016: Lyrical Expression Launch

ME’s most renowned and impactful program launches with teenagers at Kinloch Park after partnering with Commissioner Wifredo Willy Gort.

May 2016: The Edge participates in Techversify

ME’s Lyrical Expression & Music Production students from The Allapattah Music and Literacy Center collaborate with Techversify to create theme music for the show & host it’s series premier at PBS studios in Miami.

Spring 2016: Programming Expansion

The Motivational Edge expands it’s musical programming in partnership with IRiE Foundation and wellness education with Yoga Gangsters.

July 2016: City of Miami Proclamation

ME is presented with a City of Miami Proclamation declaring July 29th The Motivational Edge Day by Mayor Tomas Regalado.

Summer 2016: Tampa Expansion

February 2017: UM Partnership

A qualitative research study conducted by the Department of Educational and Psychological Studies at the University of Miami revealed that out of a cohort of 10 juvenile offenders we worked with, 100% of youth participants who completed ME’s lyrical expression curriculum experienced improvement in abilities to express both positive and negative emotions.

Fall 2017: Children’s Trust

ME awarded 5 year funding from The Children’s Trust.

October 2017: Envelopes of Safety

In 2017, ME formed a partnership with Miami Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) and City Commissioners to launch an initiative to lower violence rates in undeserved neighborhoods. “Envelopes of Safety” (EOS) focused on keeping youth off the streets. The Edge in collaboration with City Mayor Francis Suarez and the City Commission launched the EOS initiative across 13 MDCPS schools during the 2017-18 school year.

September 2018: Launched Allapattah Campus

10 years in the making, The Allapattah Campus is complete with a state-of-the-art recording studio & multipurpose creative space, where students can explore audio/video production/recording, visual arts, instrumentation, and dance. Visit us Monday-Friday from 2-6pm or schedule a tour.

December 2018: Major Grant

ME is awarded $90,000 from City of Miami Commissioner Willy Gort.

March 2019: Reading Corner

Launch of our Willy Gort Reading Corner at ME’s Allapattah Campus.

April 2019: BVI

A team of 6 head to the British Virgin Islands to work with kids on various islands, seeking to re-launch Foxy’s School of Music on Jost Van Dyke with support from other organizations.

August 2019: Foxy’s Launch

Successful relaunch of Foxy’s School of Music on Jost Van Dyke.

December 2019: True Colors Teaching Artist Showcase

January & February 2020: Create your Beat Student Showcases

March 2020: Essential Services

ME is deemed an essential service during COVID. Pivoting to provide emergency day sheltering ME provided hot meals, academic assistance, and other essential services to dozens of youth in foster care and within the community.

December 2020: Adulthood Program Launches

Launch of the TAP (Transition to Adulthood Program) and fundraising campaign on Classy.

Feb 2021: Local Leader Visit

City of Miami Commissioner visits the Allapattah Campus.

July 2021: Partnership with Elma Music Foundation

The Elma Music Foundation commits 2 years of support to improve outcomes for our most challenging youth by leveraging music and art as a transformational tool.

August 2021: Community Performance with Miami-Dade Police Department

ME participates in the National Night Out event in conjunction with Miami-Dade Police Department. The annual community-building campaign promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.

Fall 2021: Brevard County, FL Expansion

The Motivational Edge re-launches workshops with Eckerd Connects in Brevard County Florida.

Spring 2022: Miami Heat Partnership

The Allapattah Campus was renamed The Miami Heat Learn and Play Center presented by Florida Blue. Resources, including a technology upgrade and major facelift to the interior space helped add even more positive energy into our one-of-a-kind space that moves young lives forward!

August 2022: DCF + FYLA Performance

ME and Alexander Star work with Florida Youth Leadership Academy throughout the year leading up to a culminating event at the Department of Children and Families Annual Summit in Orlando, Florida.

August 2022: St Lucie County Launch

Flying Pig Ranch in St. Lucie County partners with ME to offer Arts & Animal programming.

September 2022: New Programming at The DOCK

A partnership with the Dorcas Outreach Center for Kids is formed to bring ME’s solutions-focused Lyrical Expression, Music Production & Visual Arts programs to high risk teens in Melbourne, Florida.

November 2022: CC Kids Programming Launch on The Treasure Coast

Contract with Communities Connected for Kids brings unique arts programming to youth in foster care in Florida’s Treasure Coast Region.

March 2023: Teaching Artist Supports Florida School

Partnership with Sebastian Elementary School of the Arts, providing an ME Teaching Artist to collaborate with the school and students on their end-of-year showcase production.

Fall 2023: Vero Beach Campus Opens

Open from 8a-8p, ME’s Vero Beach Campus provides drop-in services for foster youth & discipline referrals from The School District of Indian River County as well as after-school programming for eligible children ages 7-18 throughout the community.