Ciara's Bridge to Hope Foundation

Music, memory, and a bridge toward healing

Honoring the life of Ciara Gunning by connecting youth in need of resources, community, and the healing power of music.

Image of Ciara Gunning hugging her dog at the beach

“Life used to be so hard
Now everything is easier ‘cause of you.”

-Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, “Our House”

Our mission

In loving memory of Ciara, our nonprofit foundation is dedicated to raising awareness about the realities of mental health in youth through music. We honor Ciara’s legacy by promoting kindness and connection, turning the discord of loss into a symphony of hope. Ciara found her healing through music, and our mission is to bring that same life-changing melody to kids. By providing musical resources for our youth in need, Ciara’s Bridge to Hope Foundation strives to reduce anxiety and depression one note at a time.

What your donation supports

Image of a student learning sheet music during music lessons

Music Lessons

Image of a child playing the saxophone

Access to Instruments

Image of two people (one child) playing the piano

Music Therapy

One melody, one rhythm, one note at a time

𝄞

One melody, one rhythm, one note at a time 𝄞

Meet Ciara

Ciara’s favorite spot was the beach. She would take her two golden retrievers for long walks down Misquamicut beach in Westerly Rhode Island collecting sea glass and other nautical treasures.

She loved bonfires and sunsets on the beach with friends. Ciara played the piano and the guitar. Ciara could hear a song and within a week after constant practice she would have the song down to perfection without reading a single note.

She was an avid Thriftier. A competitive Yahtzee player every night with her dad. She loved long drives listening to her music; it always seemed to clear her head.

Ciara always dreamed of going skydiving, bungee jumping, zip lining, traveling, and her all-time goal was to help rebuild coral reefs.

Her kindness towards others was like no other. She touched people with such warm spirits.

Image of Ciara Gunning smiling
Image of Ciara Gunning and her family
Image of Ciara Gunning jumping in front of a graduation sign

Help us carry her light forward

Your support funds music programs and keeps Ciara's memory alive in the community.