A short while ago, Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo attended a gala in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which we posted about and were thrilled to see a handful of our readers attend. The gala was in support of Swan 4 Kids, an organization founded by Jeremy's mother, Diana Vuolo.
Swan 4 Kids provides "life-changing intervention for children whose parent(s) have a history of incarceration by mentoring them through the disciplines of music lessons and performance."
Below are a handful of photos from the gala. To learn more about the organization, visit the Swan website or Facebook page.
Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo kick off the evening with prayer
Jeremy Vuolo, Jinger Duggar Vuolo, and Diana Vuolo (Jeremy's mom)
with a Swan student
Jinger accompanies a Swan student on piano
Jinger and Jeremy meet other Swan students
Swan students perform
Photos courtesy Jaybird Media, Swan 4 Kids; used with permission
You didn't mention that this is also a religion-based organization. Why can't they give these children the gifts of music, performance, and mentoring on a totally secular level? My SIL, while alive, worked to improve the lives of children and adults in that same county, and never once asked anyone to listen to a religious message. That is a very diverse county, and her organization respected that fact.
ReplyDeletePrograms like this are good. If run by a religious group they should be allowed to talk about their beliefs. The children are not required to believe everything the people running the program do.
DeleteWhy must everything be secular? There are plenty of programs to meet everyones tastes and interests. Why should a religious person hide it?
DeleteIt's not Diana Vuolo's job to pattern her ministry after another organization. It's her job to do what God leads her to do. It's wonderful that both your sister and Diana gave/are giving help to these children. However, this life will pass away. Diana is trying to help meet the needs of the children's souls, and that will last for all eternity.
DeleteBecause when the Lord puts something on your heart, you do it.
DeleteLearn to play an musical instrument and hear the gospel, now that's my kind of organization!
DeleteWow... since when is it a bad thing for a religious organization to share the Gospel. Sounds to me like you just had to say something negative.
DeleteAnon at 1:21 pm, I will pray for you. God's love for ALL of us (including for YOU, whether you recognize it or not) is a wonderful thing, and telling a child of this is a great and wonderful thing, not an intrusion. What people choose to do with this message is up to them.Sometimes, even if their heart is not open to it at the time, later (even many years later) in troubled times they may recall this message of God's love for them, and it can change their life. A single ray of hope can shine in the darkest night, can even save a life from suicide. I know.
DeleteThis is America. They are allowed to speak of religion. I'm pretty sure they are not forcing anyone to partake of their offerings of gifts, scholarships, banquets or mentoring. The recipients of such gifts are freely choosing to receive them, just as you have a choice to freely refuse. It's what this country was founded upon.
DeleteWhat sort of tax breaks is this organization claiming, based on their use of religion?
DeleteI wonder how many of you would change your tone if this was an organization that had a different religious slant, such as Islam. Would you say they have the right to speak about their religion while providing their services to little kids?
DeleteParents/guardians have the right to refuse services if they do not agree with the religious affiliation of an organization. It's not like they are forcing the participants to get baptized. Freedom of religion still stands in America, no matter what religion you are called to.
Delete10:05 - I doubt we'd be having this conversation if the organization was promoting some other religion. The people who are opposed to Christianity tend to welcome the inclusion of other religions.
DeleteOk first of all, why are you on the Duggar family blog if you know that their whole platform is their Christianity. It is ok (whatever religion you believe in) to promote your faith. We most certainly DO NOT need to put others down because we do not believe what they believe. It’s common sense. I am going to go ahead and call your bluff. I do believe that you came to this page specifically to start drama. Congratulations, you’ve succeeded. But guess what. All of these people here are supportive of one another. Personally, I think you have nothing better to do, other than just sit behind you computer and put others down. I understand your viewpoint entirely, however I feel that all people have a right to have an organization that follows their beliefs. Whether you personally are Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Buddhist, etc. we all have the right to religious freedom. And hear you me, NOBOBY forced those children to do anything. If you have any more negative comments or put downs towards a religion, a person, a thing, anything, I suggest you go to another place to start drama. Better yet, don’t try to start drama. We are a community that should build each other up, not tear each other down. Thank you.
Delete1:22 PM -- Why don't you start a similar organization, but secular? As Christians, the Vuolos are ministering in Jesus' name. You can be charitable however you want.
DeleteDiana your program seems amazing. I am glad you made it a family affair. So many kids are going to be blessed through the vision God has given you
ReplyDeleteI thought this event took place 3 months ago... I'm thankful Jeremy and Jinger are reaching out in various ways to those in need. Completely unrelated to this topic, I find it SO ironic that the most frequents advertisements I see on this blog are for bathing suits; hardly modest at all.
ReplyDeleteAdvertisements are based off of what is frequently viewed or related to things viewed on your computer normally, so that's not Ellie's fault.
DeleteInterestingly enough the ads you see are specific to the search history on the computer you are using. The data has been collected and stored to provide advertising specific to you.
DeleteIn other words, you or someone in your home has been searching for bathing suits, beach vacation related items, or related clothing and textiles."Hardly modest"? Next time try the "judge not" mentality. It suits humankind better.
What if nobody else uses your device, and you've never searched bathing suits or anything remotely like it, but you still see those kinds of ads?
DeleteAfter reading these comments, I took a quick peek at the ads showing up here for me, and not one of them is something I've searched for on my computer.
DeleteIn defense of 1:29, I have noticed that sometimes, ad are generated by something a person has commented on or perhaps the blog posts themselves. Like when wedding posts were up, my computer kept showing ads for wedding gowns.
DeleteModesty and lack of modesty is mentioned frequently here so that may trigger something and you will get weird ads. I'm not sure how or if it's even possible to change the computer settings. I believe it's Google Adsense that triggers what ads you see.
I don't think 1:29 was being judemental.
@ 1:40 PM - Regina, Thank you for your response in my defence. I am the poster @ 1:29 PM and my post had no intention of being judgmental. I have never shopped online for swimwear and nobody else uses my device for this. I am quite confused by this whole thing which leaves me with 2 questions: 1.) Are the ads there because the blog writers have chosen to have ads on this blog? and 2.) are the ads I see different than the ads somebody else sees? (Please, excuse my lack of internet savvy.) These are honest questions.
DeleteOn my mobile device, I’m seeing ads for Honda, Hillshire Farm, and a Credit Union throughout this post-I haven’t researched any of these products.
DeleteI think you could be right Regina. However, Lilly andEllie don't get to pick the adds shown, so I don't know why OP felt the need to bring it up.
DeleteI have to disagree about the ads. Occassionally they are based on my searches, but I, too, am getting bathing suits here. I am a 71 year old, overweight woman. I can assure you, I was not searching bathing suit sites.
DeleteRose - not everyone sees the same ads. I know that sometimes they will show ads for things a person has searched for or been looking at, but sometimes they're completely random. I've had both.
DeleteJinger and Jeremy look very sharp!
ReplyDeleteNice pictures! Do you have any videos of jinger playing?
ReplyDeleteThats nice. Good job
ReplyDeletejinger looks good in that dress did not even recongize her.
ReplyDeleteI didn't either lol
DeleteI didn’t recognize Jinger either. What is so different that she looked different to us?
DeleteBecause the dress is sleeveless and she isn't curling her hair, perhaps even straightening it.
DeleteI think this is a great program, but I'm always left wondering what happens when a child who needs mentoring is like me and has ZERO musical ability. I had piano lessons for two years and the teacher finally told my parents to stop wasting their money on lessons because I had no musical ability. I'm an artist and have won prizes for my paintings and drawings. I'm sure I'm not the only person without a "music gene".
ReplyDeleteThere are other programs that can mentor children without the music lessons.
DeleteYou must have have had a very good teacher. She should never have told your parents something like that! I have been teaching piano for over 40 years and I’ve never told a parent or child to quit because they don’t have musical ability. The problem wasn’t with you, but with the teacher. I’ve never had children who didn’t have the ability to learn. The only thing is that each child learns differently. And if the teacher isn’t willing to teach the child, than they should’t be teaching. Sometimes you have to put in extra effort because a child learns differently than the next, but I’ve never had a child who didn’t learn. Honestly, if you still wish to learn, I could list some books for you! And don’t fall for the “I’m too old to learn” line! My father played piano two hours every day until his 90’s! If piano is what you want to learn, don’t let anyone stop you!
DeleteWell someone needs to start an art program. It takes everyone doing their part, sharing their own passion and talents. It can be done through gardening, art, music, outdoor adventure, reading clubs, sports etc. but not everyone can do everything.
DeleteNot everyone is wired in the same way:) Everybody has their own gifts. Yours is the gift of art. Keep cultivating your talents!😊😊😊
DeleteThere is so much to gain by studying music. These children may not earn their living by making music, but they can always learn the next harder thing. They probably enjoy the opportunity to try, as well as the attention from people who care. Did you enjoy your piano lessons? If not, that may the reason your teacher felt your parents were wasting money.
Delete@ Mary. I'm always amazed when someone insists that "everyone" can learn to play the piano or some other musical instrument or sing. That simply isn't true. While I'm not exactly tone deaf as my father was I have no musical ability at all. My grandmother had the same problem. As she said about herself she could play notes but it didn't come out music. Pity you don't realize that and torturing kids with music lessons when they have no ability is a bad idea. BTW I've done art therapy with both adults and children. It's a good program for everyone that enjoys making things and can be adapted to the person's ability.
DeleteI would hope someone has a program for non-musical children, and for children who don't want to have to be the Vuolo's kind of Christians to participate. Do they take Muslim children? Is there an attempt to convert them?
DeleteI don't think music education is ever a waste, even if you don't have the inate talent to be proficient. How will you ever know if it's something you'll be good at unless you are exposed to it and give it a try? Also, learning to read music has been shown to help children become even better readers as it stimulates the same part of the brain. Likely, the children in this program may never have had an opportunity such as this because of the expense, as well as so many schools are short on resources and are cutting art and music programs. My own kids were in band and they took piano lessons, but there was a cost involved. We spent quite a bit of money on the musical instruments alone.
Delete5:02 PM -- Are you for real? There are many charities in the world. This one is Christian and makes no bones about it. No one person can "convert" another person -- you do realize that, right?
DeleteThe classiest Duggars, by far.
ReplyDeleteIt's possible to affirm someone for their good deeds without making it an excuse to trash someone you don't like.
DeleteBut Pastor Jeremy isn't a Duggar.
DeleteJeremy is as much a Duggar as Jinger is a Vuolo. Check out the title and header of this blog.
DeleteThis Gala was back on Wed. Nov 15, 2017, so that's why Jinger does not look like she's pregnant.
ReplyDeleteGod bless Jeremy Jinger Diana and all the swan 4 kids families! Jeremy and Jinger you are bringing love and comfort and peace to these people, and so much more I'm sure!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic organization and a great cause! WOW.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful, positive cause this is. Such a good idea. If it wasn't for Jinger and Jeremy getting together this cause would not have been as well known as it is. I wonder if someone does this in Canada....where I live.
ReplyDeleteIn Canada, most kids can take music in school.
DeleteI am from Vancouver BC!!!!!!!
DeleteAnon 3:18 PM: It is not true that music programs are typically in Canadian schools. Yes, maybe 30 years ago, but not today. With budget restraints, the schools that do have music today are very lucky indeed. We were very blessed that our kids had a wonderful program at their school but that was only made possible because of a most wonderful teacher! And when he ultimately moved on to a different school, the music program went with him!
Delete@1:93.. 30 years old? Nope. In this province, music is a required course in middle school. Every school has a band. In high school, students have a choice of music, art and drama as per our standard curriculum. You need music or art or drama to graduate.
Delete5:52 pm: Yes, I agree that in highschool in my province as well, you need music or art or drama to graduate, but in elementary school, our school was the only one in the city to have a formal music program and band. Maybe you live in a more affluent community
DeleteI wish I could have been there. It always warms my heart to hear children play music or sing.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see Jeremy and Jess's participation with Jeremy's mom's organization! Also, nice to see them dresses so appropriately...love the tux!
ReplyDeleteGood job Jinger & Jeremy helping out Diana with swan 4 kids. Help these kids through music while their parents are in jail is sad. But these kids have a bright future ahead of them. Jinger looks so nice in her dress. She is the style icon out of all her sisters. Moving on seeing these photos helping these kids out & Diana to see just how happy they are when music could lift up their sprits. Sat 2/10/18. Time 1:56AM
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful and selfless of them! S.
ReplyDeleteThey are such amazing and inspiring persons. God bless them.
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures. Jinger & Jeremy make a beautiful couple. Nice to see them interact for this cause.
ReplyDeleteThey appear to be very much interested in others.
I admire them.
Thanks for sharing this - what appears to be - a formal event.
Beautiful 🌟
ReplyDeleteJinger looks elegant! This seems like a great charity, prayers for success.
ReplyDeleteIs not music part of the public school curriculum there? It is here with accredited music teachers, with financial support for parents who cannot pay for instrument rentals. The student play in bands, concerts.... right up to Grade 12.
ReplyDeleteI checked out the Swan website.. looked good until the religious statement at the end. The gift of music should be freely given, irregardless of religious beliefs.
Also, some of the supporting statements are misleading. It is true that children who receive private music instruction tend to earn 4-year-bachelor degrees more so than their peers who do not. But the reason is NOT the music instruction but the fact they have parents who put a great deal of emphasis on education and have the resources to help their children. The same can be said for children who are enrolled in extra languages classes, art classes, and expensive martial art classes.
No such word as "irregardless". Just my pet peeve, sorry
Delete3:17 PM -- You are free to give your gift of music to anyone you want regardless of religious beliefs. Go for it!! :)
DeleteYA, COULD U PLEASE MAKE A VIDEO, SO WE COULD HEAR THE MUSIC, AND SOME OF THE SPEECHES TOO!!!! JINGER, JERERMY, LOOK WONDERFUL!!!! GOOD WORK, IT LOOKS WELL DONE!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou'd probably need permission from each child's parent for them to be filmed to appear in a video. These kids may come from homes with a history of violence, and some may be placed with one parent for protection. I'm surprised faces were shown at all in pictures.
DeleteThey are such a cute couple.
ReplyDeleteJinger?
ReplyDeleteWith such a rich country, why is there such poverty? Every child should already have access to music in the schools.
ReplyDeleteChildren whose parents are in prison have a high rate of ending up in jail because of poverty, poor employment opportunities and the dismal state of their schools. It is not from some moral failing. Providing these children with music lessons is all well and good but is only a bandage.
True all around, 10:47. That's why it's important to elect leaders and representatives who support social programs, not try to defund them.
DeletePoverty can come from moral failings (like someone using up money on drinking, gambling, etc.), or people having serious health problems and the huge bills that insurance doesn't cover, or laziness/not wanting to work hard, or any number of reasons, which may or may not be the person's fault. I think the purpose behind the music lessons is showing these kids that there are people who care about them and want to invest time and energy into them, as well as to give the kids an advantage that they wouldn't be able to afford on their own. It's a way for these kids to see God's love through other people. It's a way for them to possibly see doors of opportunity into their future instead of the negative cycle that has likely been in their family. Of course it's not the only thing they need, but it could certainly turn them in a positive direction.
DeleteJinger and Jeremy are the sweetest couple, they have hearts of gold. They are true examples of people who care about helping others. Classy, smart and compassionate, going to make great parents.
ReplyDeletePerhaps things are different in the states but when I come on the site the ads are about baby/children's clothing, nappies & jewellery yet I have not been searching for any of these things in my browser & as I'm using an I phone solely used by me (& password protected), no one else in the family could be doing so either, so maybe not everyone's adverts are related to them & what they are searching for. however, I wouldnt dream that they have anything to do with Ellie either, I would just think they are random adverts. I would also like to say what a wonderful thing Jeremy's mother is doing to help these disadvantaged children & how nice of jinger & Jeremy to give of their time to help too.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful that Jeremy and Jinger are using their fame, if you will,to make others aware of SWAN!Kudos to them and to Mrs.Vuolo for making a difference in these kids lives. May God bless them richly!
ReplyDeleteTo all the Anons who are griping that the Vuolos aren't helping non-musical children, I doubt this "they don't deserve praise because they aren't helping Group Z as well as Group Y" is the standard you hold all other charities to.
ReplyDeleteUsing the same standards, all children's charities deserved to be bashed for not helping adults as well as children. A charity for people with cancer should be bashed for not helping people with heart disease. A charity for veterans should be bashed for not helping non-veterans. Etc, etc.
The truth is there is a limit to what one person or group of people can do to help others. If they focus on a need that is close to their heart and they feel called to alleviate, it is very small-minded to bash them for not doing even more.
Great point, 1:23. It's illogical to criticize them for that.
DeleteRose I too feel in no way we're you being judgmental I replied to the people who commented on your comments but my reply is way down the blog & not next to where I wanted it to be. I get ads for nappies, baby clothes etc non of which I have looked at & im on a personal device too so no one else uses it. It did make me wonder too who decides what ads are shown but I thought as I'm in the uk it may be different here. I like you wouldn't dream the ads had anything to do with Ellie but it's funny how some people jump to the wrong conclusion. It makes me feel anxious sometimes that my comments may be picked up wrong & I will offend someone. Do not let the comments get to you.
ReplyDelete