August

 

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