MADE TO MOVE MOUNTAINS OUTREACH
MADE TO MOVE MOUNTAINS OUTREACH
Made To Move Mountains Outreach & Music
Music Studio at Essex Manor
We believe the pathway to healing is support, self-awareness and long-term goals. We want to show you a new way of life and that anything is possible. We dedicate ourselves to helping people attend these goals.
This is why at our very own Essex Manor we offer unique healing channels through music and art that are currently not offered at any other local centres. Our facility has an in-house music studio and podcasting room, with professional gear and quality equipment. Creativity and self-expression are very therapeutic and a step towards healing.
Made To Move Mountains Music Festival
Made To Move Mountains Outreach presents: the Made To Move Mountains Music Festival – an all-ages music event that was first hosted on June 8th at the SUNSET Amphitheatre, Seacliff Beach in Leamington, ON. All proceeds went to the Made To Move Mountains non-profit to help those struggling with mental health issues, addictions, food assistance and homelessness in the local Windsor-Essex community.
The festival offered attendees a multi-cultural and multi-genre entertainment featuring Canadian and International artists – from hip-hop, R&B, dancehall, electronic music and more. Our first festival lineup included 4x JUNO-award winning rapper Choclair, Detroit social media star and hip-hop artist Tray Little, Manchester Jamaica based artist Vadenuh and many more.
About Ronnie Raffoul
Ronnie Raffoul was an amazing songwriter, guitar player and artist. Ronnie was a member of The Bad Apples band, which he played alongside his cousin, local music legend Jody Raffoul. The Bad Apples was a cover band that dominated the local music scene in the late 80’s early 90’s. Ronnie dealt with his own personal struggles in his life – that was when he came to our administrator Kathy Edwards, who never gave up on him. Kathy always believed in Ronnie and his talent. It was through his perseverance that he was able to get better and move to London before he sadly passed, due to congestive heart failure. Ronnie Raffoul is a true example of what it means to move mountains and we honor his memory today with all our efforts to aid those in our community with similar struggles.
“Unfortunately, he struggled with mental health and addictions – 17 years ago, when I owned Leamington Lodge, Ronnie had came to me for help. I gave him a bed, got him a psych doctor, and all other help that he needed. When Leamington Lodge gave him a bed, an officer stood on the front porch, and asked why I had given Ronnie a bed and not to someone else. I told the officer “because we are going to find him dead.” And then his mom called me, crying, telling me please do not give up on my son. Ronnie became well and met Sandy, his better half, they had a baby. He started to write and sing again. He wrote a beautiful song for me, titled ‘Like An Angel.’ Unfortunately, he passed away in 2023. I miss him very much, he was a good soul with his struggles.” – Kathy Edwards
COMMUNITY