'TUNED IN'. Voices of our City Choir's March Newsletter Updates

from our creative community

Voices’ programs offer space for liberation and healing, fostering self-expression, esteem, and connection among Members. Weekly workshops like “Soul Space” prioritize mental health with guided reflection, gentle movement, meditation, and tools for positive self-talk. Here are some reflections from this month’s Soul Space session on inner peace: 

“My grandma always said: you’ve seen the glory, now let me tell you the story.”

— Cindy

“My peace means a lot to me, and I do a lot to keep it.  I release: I sing, and I sing, and I sing!”

— Destiny

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Pictured above, Choir Member, Earth, at rehearsal. Photo by Michele Zousmer. 

Longtime friend of Voices, award-winning humanitarian photographer Michele Zousmer, recently profiled our Choir Member, Earth. View Michele’s striking photos, and read Earth’s story, in this piece for “1 in 6 by 2023”: a global project inviting photographers across the globe to capture the daily lives of 72-year-olds in their community. 

Read her story: 

Earth Clemons: Remaining Resilient — 1 in 6 by 2030 

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new partners, more impact

This month, the Hervey Family Foundation generously awarded Voices $20,000 to advance our efforts in improving housing access for San Diegans experiencing homelessness. With this gift, we can support new Members in transitioning from outdoor living to more stable housing. Our Member Services Team works closely with local housing agencies to facilitate temporary shelter, interim housing, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing services, and residential treatment. For Members undergoing the housing approval process, Voices provides gap services and shelter to help unhoused neighbors move indoors. This can include covering the costs of short-term hotel stays, or deposits for first month’s rent. 

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Pictured above, Volunteers Maureen and Julia serve the choir lunch from Bekkers Catering.

This March, we hosted two listening sessions with our volunteers—dedicated partners in fostering a warm, welcoming environment for all. Some volunteers have been with us over five years! They reflected on experiencing the Choir up close: 

 “I see the impact on the lives of people here. You can actually see the choir members reclaim their raison d’être (their reason for being).”  

“Over the years, I see the choir members bloom.”  

“The Choir is the launching pad for those impacted by homelessness to regain their best selves. Witnessing that makes me want to be my best self.” 

“I love seeing how the choir members help each other.” 

Thank you, Voices’ Volunteers for your service to this special community! If you would like to explore volunteer opportunities, contact Kathie Landis: klandis@voicesofourcity.org 

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Congratulations to Voices’ Co-Founder, CEO and Creative Director, Steph Johnson, awarded "Arts Angel" by the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus.

“This year’s recipient embodies the very essence of what it means to be an Arts Angel: a guardian of the arts, whose unwavering commitment to artistic excellence and social impact has made a profound difference in the lives of others. Steph Johnson is a shining example of someone who uses the power of music to inspire, uplift, and empower those facing homelessness and adversity.” 

— Stephanie Weaver Yankee, Executive Director of the LJS&C

Thank you to La Jolla Symphony & Chorus for this recognition of Steph’s leadership and impact.

Voices Joins The Padres Foundation to Celebrate Grand Opening of Timmy’s Place

Voices of Our City Choir performed today at the grand opening of Timmy’s Place: a pizzeria and print shop named for Rolf and Mary Benirschke’s son who overcame homelessness. The shop employs youth, ages 18-24, experiencing homelessness. It is operated by the Union of Pan Asian Communities (UPAC), in partnership Urban Street Angels, and supported by the Rolf Benirschke Legacy Foundation and the Lucky Duck Foundation.

Twenty of Voices’ Choir Members performed “Being You”, an original song written by the Choir, and Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing”. San Diego Padres’ mascot, The Swinging Friar, rallied the crowd to clap along through the finale.

“We are so honored that our Choir was invited to perform in today’s celebration to open Timmy’s Café. It is inspiring to share a space with the Padres Foundation, UPAC, Urban Street Angels, and our partners The Lucky Ducky Foundation and The Legacy Foundation. Today’s robust turnout reminds us that our City’s residents share a commitment to creative, dignified opportunities people of all ages impacted by homelessness,” said Lindsey Seegers, Deputy Executive Director of Voices of Our City Choir.

Last year, the National Conflict Resolution Center Peacemakers Award honored Voices of Our City Choir alongside philanthropists Rolf and Mary Benirschke, a San Diego couple who have dedicated their lives to serving others, drawing strength from personal challenges. The NCRC award introduced the Benirschkes and Voices of Our City Choir, now friends and partners in a shared cause. Rolf and Mary’s daughter, a talented soprano, is also a proud Choir Member of Voices.

The Benirschke’s son, Timmy, found a caring community outside San Diego in his journey towards sobriety and stability. Voices’ caring community here in San Diego resonated with the Benirschkes, as the nonprofit offers a place for healing and self-expression on the journey out of homelessness.

“Today reminded us of the Choir's earliest days: community gathering around food and friendship. We look forward to a partnership that brings unhoused artists—be they culinary, music, or printmakers—together at Timmy’s Place,” said Seegers.

Timmy’s Place is a new social enterprise with the mission to train and employ homeless youth and provide critical life skills and work experience to help the youth be self-sufficient and never return to the streets. They aim to employ more than 50 youth per year, as well as connect them to long-tern employment through the San Diego Restaurant Association.

Voices of Our City Choir receives $15,000 from The Hervey Family Fund at the San Diego Foundation

Last month Voices of Our City Choir received a generous grant of $15,000 from The Hervey Family Fund at the San Diego Foundation. This gift allows us to welcome new voices into this unique creative community for unsheltered San Diegans. We are continuing to invest in street outreach and mobile showers to bring new adults into our open doors. Because Voices’ work is rooted in community — the center of which is our Choir Members who have rebuilt their lives out of homelessness — together we will continue to encourage new members in their new chapter.

Our supporters hear their sound investment in the songs and stories of our choir members. That sound is full of soul, funk, and joy. The San Diego Foundation’s extraordinary gift builds on the generosity and trust of our supporter community. Thank you for sharing this moment of gratitude with us. There is more work to do, and it’s possible with you.