Streetsong good for the soul

What makes our choir really unique is that it allows people to get to know one another, learn from one another and share life experiences.”

Katie Dillon

Streetsong helps people mentally and physically. It helps them to not think so much about their problems.”

Sherry Shannon

BY THE NUMBERS

Every three years, the Wilder Foundation does a study on homelessness in Minnesota. The last one was conducted in 2023. There were 4,600 one-on-one interviews conducted lasting 35-40 minutes with people staying in shelters or in their cars or on the street.

Older adults were the only group showing an increase in homelessness between 2018 and 2023. Families make up half of the homeless population. Greater Minnesota has one-third of the homeless population and the cities have two-third. In Minnesota, 72 percent of homeless individuals are Native American or people of color. There was a slight decrease found in youth homelessness.

Barriers that people encounter, according to the study, are criminal record, mental health issues and affordability for housing.

Audio

Streetsong good for the soul_Jan Willms.mp3

An opportunity to sing and perform. A chance to meet new people. An activity that could nurture people’s belief in themselves.

These were all possibilities when Streetsong formed in 2014.

The singing group was created by Align Minneapolis. Align Minneapolis is an interfaith collaboration of 19 Minneapolis churches, synagogues, and mosques along with people with lived experiences working together to address homelessness and poverty.

“A couple of choir directors from Align congregations had the idea to start a choir with people who have faced or are facing homelessness,” said Katie Dillon, the current director of Align Minneapolis. The choir is also open to those who care about working to end homelessness.

“The goal is to gather people and take the choir into a wider community,” Dillon said. Participants come from St. Paul as well as Minneapolis, and the choir has performed in both of the Twin Cities.

“Streetsong empowers its singers, especially those with homeless experience,” she noted. “Some come with current homelessness, some with previous experience and some with no homeless experience. What makes our choir really unique is that it allows people to get to know one another, learn from one another and share life experiences.”

Dillon started with Align as its director in May 2021 and supported the choir administratively. She began singing with Streetsong in 2022. “It’s a bonus part of my job,” she said.

The group rehearses once a week at Central Lutheran Church, 333 S. 12th St., Minneapolis. Choir practice is preceded by a community meal.

No experience in singing is required to join Streetsong, and members come with or without any musical background.

Dillon said the rehearsals usually draw between 14 and 17 singers.

“We are open to all ages,” Dillon said. “The choir is generally a little on the older side, with people who have the time.”

She said that besides practicing, the group talks about what brings people to the choir and why they want to sing. “A lot express that it is meaningful to be a part of community and bring happiness to audiences,” Dillon said. “It’s a way for those who have previously experienced homelessness to give back. It’s really a beautiful thing.”

Dillon said that Liz Digitale Anderson, the choir director, helps to get the audience to participate in the singing, bringing energy and involvement to a broader community.

“All voices are welcome,” Dillon said. “People can check out our website at alignmpls.com or come to a rehearsal.”

CHOIR MADE HER STRONGER
One of those who said she has benefited greatly from being a part of Streetsong is Sherry Shannon.

“I joined the choir in the beginning. I was in church, at a table where we were eating. We started practice in the basement, and I went over because I had nothing else to do.”

She said someone asked what she was, and she replied a tenor. She has been part of Streetsong ever since.
“Streetsong helps people mentally and physically,” she said. “It helps them to not think so much about their problems.”

Shannon said she was in line for Section 8 housing when she joined Streetsong. “There was so much waiting in line, and I was being told no, no, no,” she recalled. “After joining the choir, I gained strength and refused to accept all the nos. It made me stronger, and I started reaching out to others.”

A BETTER LIFE
Ro Shanklinn became a part of Streetsong a couple years after its inception.

“I was a part of Dignity Center in south Minneapolis, and an advocate recommended I join the choir.

“I have had my struggles in the past with drugs and alcohol and homelessness,” he said. “When we perform, we are just ordinary people celebrating what we are doing and it translates pretty well.”

Shanklin said the choir is one of many things that have brought him back to a better life.

“There’s a camaraderie, and we joke around. We usually have a picnic each year. Like other organizations I am part of, the time you spend there lets you get away from what is out there and you don’t have to worry.

“If I was not all in, I would not be driving over from St. Paul to attend rehearsals every week,” Shanklin said. “It’s good for the soul.”