Music Matters

Welcome back to almondcakesvt blog! So much has happened in the past month, and we are excited to share all of the latest updates! All of you are part of the reason that we have been able to grow and expand our reach in just a few short months, and we’re so thankful for your support of the brand.

In our March update, we discussed our goals for the almondcakesvt and shared that we had made our donation from February sales to the Colorado African Organization, a great non-profit organization that exists to support Colorado’s refugee, immigrant, and asylum-seeking populations.

This Month’s Charitable Donation

As you know, we have made it our mission to give back 6% of our sales on a monthly basis to causes that we feel will improve the relationships and progress of the communities that we all share. Our brand is for all, which is why our signature message is that we are all One Tribe. Buying into the brand means the opportunity for you to directly support underrepresented causes and communities, education, and the arts. For the month of March, almondcakesvt. connected with the organization Youth on Record, for their inaugural Music Matters March event.

Connecting with this Month’s Organization

Mike Trujillo, the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter for the band The Trujillo Company, and Badi Tolo, Founder/CEO of almondcakesvt., share a nearly 15 year friendship. Their friendship was first formed on a basketball court during their college years at the University of Wyoming. The Trujillo Company is an energetic rock duo that his been making waves in Denver since their inception in 2018. Mike and his cousin, Leny Trujillo also serve as Music Ambassadors for Youth on Record. Through the band’s social media activity, Badi began to take notice of Youth on Record some time ago.

Photo credit: Robert Castro (@castro_denver)

Andrea Viarrial-Murphy, the Director of Visibility & Operations at Youth on Record, took notice of this new brand that Mike had been hyping on Instagram: almondcakesvt., and Badi and Andrea eventually connected through social media. From there, a connection, a friendship and a partnership was born. At Mike’s show in late February at The Gothic Theatre, Badi and Andrea formulated the plan behind the Music Matters T-Shirt to help boost donations to Youth on Record for their Music Matters March promotion.

About Youth on Record

Founded in 2008, and now celebrating its 10th year of amplifying the voices of our youth, Youth on Record is an organization that works with underserved juveniles to prepare them to successfully transition into adulthood. Their goal is to ensure that, “the youth we serve graduate from high school and are ready to enter the workforce, and transition to college or enter advanced technical training and careers.” 

Targeting Denver’s most vulnerable population, Youth on Record is a partnership that brings together the Denver music community, public schools, the housing authority, and the philanthropic sector. Their focus is on leveraging arts and specifically music, to inspire and re-engage with youths.

In the past decade, Youth on Record has become a nationally awarded organization empowering Colorado’s underserved youth to achieve their academic, artistic, and personal best by employing local, professional artists as their educators.

We’re sure that by now you know that building bridges and making connections is one of the primary focuses of the brand almondcakesvt. With this mission of unity, working with Youth on Record was a no-brainer. Their connections within our community have had a profound impact, and we couldn’t be more pleased to work together.

Music Matters March

Music Matters March is an annual event sponsored and hosted by Youth on Record. Through the donations of partnering music venues throughout Denver, performing musicians, and concert-goers alike, the organization raised funds for their cause throughout a targeted campaign during the month of March.

As a well-established organization, Youth on Record has made an impact in the community that we at almondcakesvt find truly inspirational. In addition to donating 6% of last month’s sales to Youth on Record, almondcakesvt was honored to design and produce t-shirts specifically for their Music Matters March event. 50% of the profits from the t-shirt sales went directly to the Youth on Record organization, allowing us to further engage with this month’s organization.

These unique shirts are still available, and if you’re looking for a fashionable way to make your contribution to this wonderful organization, you can purchase one for yourself. And if you are interested in becoming further involved, or making a contribution to Youth on Record, there is more than one way to do so:

• Donate here.
• Purchase from our Wish List.
• Become a Music Ambassador.
• Listen and follow along to our Podcast or music.
• Follow, share, and shout out Youth on Record on social media. Facebook - Twitter - Instagram.

Moving Forward

We could not be any more excited about the success of March’s partnership! The success of the charities and organizations we work with inspires we at almondcakesvt to Be More and Do More! The positive energy is what keeps this train moving.

For April, we will be donating to a non-profit in Colorado that supports individuals with developmental disabilities. We have partnered with Autism advocate, The Millenial Twin Mom in support of Autism Awareness Month to design a specialty t-shirt. Check out our Cause Collection for new merchandise in support of this month’s partnership and the missions these partners work so hard for! Any purchase from our website is an opportunity to not only give back, but to help raise awareness and spread the message of unity and support.

Don’t forget: you can always write to us about your favorite organizations, or individuals who are making a difference! We love to learn about causes that we can support in the future and work to amplify their message in any way.

Thanks again for all of your support and for being a part of The 6th fam.

One Team. Together. One Tribe!