Redwood Students Help Students Across Borders

Jacob Skaggs found his way from Redwood High School to Northwestern University, and now he wants to help clear a similar path for students in Tijuana, Mexico.

Skaggs, 19, is bringing together local musicians Saturday at Corte Madera's Hillside Church for the third annual Concert for Casa. The concert and auction is at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Skaggs, a talented musician, started the concert in 2010 to raise funds to help the children at Casa de la Esperanza orphanage in Tijuana. He found several friends and musicians at Redwood who were willing to help, but word soon spread of what Skaggs was trying to accomplish. Artists from high schools around the North Bay joined the set list last year.

This year's cast includes singer/songwriters Michael Weinstein, Rin Tin Tiger and Matt Jaffe and bands The Zach Ostroff Experience, Jack Straw Blues Band, Nights on First, and Handshake.

“This year we are hoping to raise $15,000 to fund professional counseling for the children at the orphanage, as well as to grow the fund allowing college education of current and future Casa college students,” Skaggs said.

It was during his first trip to the orphanage six years ago that the "Marin bubble" burst for Skaggs, forever changing his view of the world.

"I was, first of all, amazed at the level of poverty in that area of Mexico," Skaggs said. "Right next to the orphanage there, people are living in little more than cardboard boxes."

The money raised means a chance for the students to go to college and a more secure life for the students.

"Music's a very, very powerful thing," Skaggs said. "It really speaks to people on a deeper level."