Heroes’ Voices began its in-person programming for veterans in 2014 at the Menlo Park VA and quickly expanded to serve veterans at different venues all over the Bay area. We began with singing and poetry workshops and within a year began our Guitar Corps programs.
Some of our most important outreach was to incarcerated veterans. For several years we made weekly visits the San Francisco County Jail in San Bruno, CA. We also did programming at San Quentin and brought music to incarcerated veterans there.
When Covid struck, all our in-person programming ground to a halt, including activities at VA facilities in Menlo Park, San Francisco, Livermore, the Veterans War Memorial Building in San Francisco, the VA Clinic in San Bruno, the CalVet Home in Yountville, at Humboldt State University, and George Mason University in Virginia. Of course, our outreach to veterans at the County Jail and San Quentin ended as well.
Immediately, we ramped up our Guitar Corps lessons on-line. We offered weekly lessons on Zoom and on a VA video platform as well. To date we have donated more than 300 free guitars, and our free guitar lessons are available to veterans anywhere.
While veterans from all over the country still receive free guitars and lessons, we have been waiting to be able to return to our in-person singing and poetry workshops.
Well, we are finally returning to jail! Our programs at the San Francisco County Jail resumed in October.
Here’s a brief story about just one of the many touching experiences I had with veteran inmates. There was one vet who was there for many months, and was an enthusiastic singer, always requesting his favorite tunes. This guy was huge. He had a very boyish face but was built like a linebacker for the 49ers. He hung back at the end of one of our sessions and said, “It means so much to us for you to come here every week. You bring light into a very dark place.”
We are pleased and proud to be returning to serving our veterans in person, bringing light through the gift of music. Of course, our Guitar Corps programs will continue on-line, but we need your help.
In honor of Veteran’s Day, please join Heroes’ Voices in this important mission. With your support, we have touched the lives of thousands of veterans over these last ten years. We need your continued support to continue our on-line lessons, free guitars and renewed in-person outreach.
Thank you,
Rick Harrell
Executive Director
Heroes’ Voices