Voices of Our City

Bringing dignity and housing to the homeless community through music and art

San Diego County counted about 9,900 people experiencing homelessness in 2025, with more than 5,700 living unsheltered. The crisis keeps outpacing housing solutions. In that space Voices of Our City Choir stands out.

Founded in 2016 by Steph Johnson and Nina Deering, the choir began with weekly rehearsals and songwriting sessions for people living on the street. It has grown to more than 200 members and has helped connect about 60 people to permanent housing. Their work blends art with action, offering counseling, job connections, and a community built on dignity.

In 2020 they performed their original song “Sounds of the Sidewalk” on America’s Got Talent, earning Terry Crews’ Golden Buzzer and national attention for their mission.

Music is more than performance for Voices of Our City. It’s how they rewrite the story of homelessness. Through songwriting and shared rehearsals, people find confidence, purpose, and belonging. The art becomes a bridge to housing, jobs, and lasting community, proving that creativity can be a powerful path to stability and dignity.

I recently visited and gifted blankets to everyone in the choir. I stood among choir members as they sang lyrics about hope and redemption that they had written themselves. Seeing people who have faced so much stand together and proclaim beauty and possibility through music moved me deeply. It was a reminder of what real community can create.

For every blanket purchased we donate one to a local shelter. But the deeper impact comes from partnering with groups like Voices of Our City.