Honors student turns capstone into benefit concert at Funk ‘n Waffles
Daily Orange File Photo
Rebecca Duke's Honors Capstone project connects music with the Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit organization she has volunteered at since her freshman year at Syracuse University.
UPDATED: Oct. 26, 2017 at 2:26 p.m.
Senior Rebecca Duke turned her Honors Capstone into a fundraiser for Crisis Text Line.
Duke, a senior in Syracuse University’s Bandier Program for recording and entertainment industries, planned the benefit concert at Funk ‘n Waffles downtown. The show, titled Funk Gives Back: Crisis Text Line Benefit Show, will take place Wednesday.
Tickets are available online for $12 and at the door for $15. Doors open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 8 p.m. All proceeds will go to Crisis Text Line, a national nonprofit organization that offers free, 24/7 support for people in crisis and needing assistance.
The capstone combines Duke’s passion for music and mental health awareness. Duke has been involved with Crisis Text Line since her freshman year at SU. She chose Funk ‘n Waffles to host the concert because of the restaurant’s partnership with charities in the past.
Funk Gives Back will feature Laura Stevenson, an indie rocker from Long Island, and Cat Clyde, a blues singer from Ontario. Duke, a fan of both artists, said Stevenson was a perfect fit for the benefit because she sings about her own struggles with mental health.
“I wanted to figure out a way to incorporate service into my daily life,” Duke said. “And then I walked into Starbucks and saw a flyer for Crisis Text Line.”
Counselors for the textline include licensed physicians and college students. Every counselor receives the same training and works four hours per week for a year.
“Everyone cares about other people,” Duke said. “That’s why they do it.”
The entire Crisis Text Line support system occurs via text message.
“The format of text is what makes it so revolutionary,” Duke said. “People text in from all ages … putting those ideas down physically, writing out your feelings, is a good coping mechanism.”
Duke will graduate from SU in December and hopes to work in the live music industry in the future.
“I think doing research is great, but I really want to do something hands on,” Duke said. “I thought putting on this live concert would help me understand the live industry better and get more experience.”
CORRECTION: In a previous version of this post, Rebecca Duke was misidentified in a photo. The Daily Orange regrets this error.
Published on October 22, 2017 at 9:42 pm
