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What happens when young people grow up without a foundation of faith, leadership, or mentorship, and veterans return home without purpose, connection, or healing?

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WHY S.T.I.X ACADEMY?

Youth Leadership Gap

  • Most youth lack access to programs that intentionally develop leadership, purpose, and initiative.
     

  • Only 16% of U.S. youth engage in meaningful leadership experiences by age 25.
     

  • Approxroximately 54% of youth (between the ages 18-24) grow up without a spiritual foundation, leaving them without identity, direction, or hope.

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The "Missing Middle"

  • Middle-income families earn too much for free programs, but not enough to afford extracurriculars ($700–$1,200/year).
     

  • Thousands of youth are excluded from enrichment experiences that build discipline, confidence, and community.

Veteran Isolation and Mental Health Crisis

  • Jacksonville has one of the largest veteran populations in the U.S.
     

  • 77% report PTSD or depression; 25% have experienced suicidal thoughts in the past year.
     

  • Nationally, an estimated 17–22 veterans die by suicide every day.
     

  • About 60–70% of veterans in music‑therapy studies report meaningful 
         reductions in PTSD, depression, or distress
     

S.T.I.X. Academy's Response

  • A faith-driven hub where rhythm becomes a tool for restoration.
     

  • Music education and intergenerational mentorship empower youth to lead, and veterans to heal through legacy-building roles.
     

  • At the heart of S.T.I.X. is the belief that faith restores what the world fractures, offering identity, belonging, and purpose to every life we touch.
     

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