Harmony Hope and Healing is a Chicago non-profit where vulnerable individuals can rebuild themselves through the restorative power of music.  Started in 2003 by Marge Nykaza, our connection to HHH was there right from the start.  Marge was in grad school and began a program at St. Martin de Porres House of Hope (now called Southside Center of Hope) in Chicago’s Southside which was cofounded by our very own Therese O’Sullivan, IBVM.

Our relationship with HHH grew over the years with a strong connection with Companion, Amanda Longe-Asque. Amanda began her recovery journey too at Martin de Porres and HHH.  Today, Amanda  currently serves as co-executive director of HHH!

As Covid changed life for everyone, HHH was no exception.  Taking to classes virtually and looking for new and innovative ways to continue assisting people to transform their lives, new programs began.  JPIC was proud to sponsor HHH with a grant for $2500 to fund a 10-week course of therapeutic music- based healing to women in recovery through a virtual program.   The course set out to help these women gain the skills and esteem to build relationship intimacy, journaling, group writing, communications, self-advocacy, and emotional literacy through song analysis.  The program was taught by a professional instructor and these participants learned to become instruments of peace and justice for themselves, their families, and their communities.  It became a tool for self-advocating, which is an absolutely necessary skill on the path to recovery.