“[Voices of Hope] is a place of serenity, community; some of us become family. You just catch a different vibe here, and it sets the tone for the rest of your evening.”
- Voices of Hope singer
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide accessible music-making opportunities within justice-impacted populations that foster individual growth and bridge unlikely communities through song.
Voices of Hope began as the vision of Dr. Jim Verhoye, former Education Director at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee, the only state women’s prison in Minnesota. Dr. Verhoye connected with Dr. Amanda Weber, a local conductor with a passion for using music as a tool for social justice.
The choir launched in October 2015 with 17 singers, gathering weekly for one hour rehearsals in the small prison chapel. Two months later, the group named themselves “Voices of Hope.”
On June 18, 2016, Voices of Hope performed their first full concert in the prison visiting room for an audience of incarcerated women. Over the next four years, Voices of Hope grew to nearly 50 singers.
In January 2020, Voices of Hope expanded to the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Stillwater, creating a men’s prison choir under the direction of MaryLynn Mennicke. The group of 15 singers gathered three times before the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a pause in programming.
After nearly three years of distanced programming, Voices of Hope returned to the facility at Shakopee in January 2023 and the facility at Stillwater in February 2023. In addition, a small group of singers from Voices of Hope-Shakopee are working together to build a Re-entry Choir for women.
What We Do
Educate
VOH Singers gain valuable music learning skills, but more importantly, rehearsals provide space for singers to gain confidence, be creative, and express themselves.
Collaborate
We build bridges inside and outside prison walls, using the power of song to transform individuals and communities. We work with and support like-minded organizations and seek to learn from justice-impacted populations.
Advocate
We stay connected with Voices of Hope alumni and provide stipends for their leadership at outside events. We believe in the value of arts in prisons and advocate for increased access to the arts for all.
Get Involved
You can make a difference in the lives of incarcerated individuals