Bridget’s Blog August 2023
Can you believe that we are
in mid-August I can’t believe that summer has gone so fast! I enjoyed this summer of 2023. I hope you all are having
a wonderful time and ready to go back to school or work or just ready for the
fall season.
I started back at UIC in the
CO-OP program. This is my second year
and I am excited to get started. I also started the LEND program and I am
learning so much about neurodiversity and more important things about
disabilities that will help me be a strong advocate.
Today I am going to tell you
a dear friend of mine her name is Marge Nykaza.
She just passed away and I am so sad right now because she made such a
huge difference in the world and in my life.
She started an amazing organization called Harmony, Hope and Healing 20 years ago.
She mixed her love of music,
her talent and her faith together and brought music to people in Chicago who
have experienced homelessness. She saved
many lives with music because people found their voice and that helped them
heal and go on to live full and wonderful lives. She brought music and hope into people’s hearts, souls, and minds. Marge brought
healing music to homeless and previously homeless people in the Chicago
area. She saved many lives over the years by just giving
marginalized people a chance to find their voice through music
She was a friend and a
wonderful director of this organization.
I remember what Marge has
giving to people from Chicago and how she
touched so many people and
left a great legacy. I hope the
organization will continue but I know she will be missed by many but her memory
lives on in the work she started.
She inspired me to share my
gifts and talents with the world. I want
to be more like her and help people find their voice so they can share their
gifts with the world. Many people she
worked with were people with disabilities who struggled in many ways. She was a
friend to all!
Below is some information about Marge.
Marge Nykaza was not just the founder of Harmony, Hope &
Healing; she was the heart and soul that infused our organization with
boundless compassion, unwavering dedication, and an unshakable belief in the
healing power of music. Her journey was a testament to resilience, empathy, and
the extraordinary capacity of one person's vision to transform countless lives.
Marge's belief in the transformative nature of music led her to
create a haven of hope and healing, where individuals facing vulnerability
could find solace and rebuild their lives through musical expression. Her
pioneering spirit introduced music therapy as a cornerstone of our programs,
making Harmony, Hope & Healing a leader in providing accessible and
impactful music therapy services. Through her guidance, our certified music
therapists have empowered individuals to find their voice, process emotions,
and enhance their well-being through the profound connection between music and
healing.
But Marge's impact reached far beyond the walls of our
organization. She was a fervent advocate for collaboration, forging
partnerships that extended our reach into schools, community centers,
healthcare facilities, shelters, and other vital community spaces. Through
these collaborations, her vision of healing through music reached those who
needed it most, amplifying her impact and spreading hope throughout Chicago.
Marge's legacy lives on within us. Her values of empathy,
collaboration, and resilience continue to be the guiding principles behind
everything we do. As we mourn the loss of an extraordinary visionary, we also
celebrate the indelible mark she left on Harmony, Hope & Healing. Every
note played, every program conducted, and every life transformed is a testament
to the profound impact of Marge's vision.
She is one of my leaders and
bought so many talented people into this world of music. She mad a difference
in the world. I will miss her so much
and hope that she is looking down on all of the people who were her friends.
Bridget Brown
