Hope isn't always loud. Sometimes it looks like one person's quiet wish, carried on a breeze, landing somewhere it was needed. In this episode, we sit down with Cindy, a member of Voices of Our City Choir, to talk about chosen family, belonging, and the quiet, stubborn work of building a life you love. And the family you find? That's hope with roots.

Pull up a chair.

Season 3 is HERE — and we're opening with pure joy. 🎶🖤

And we're kicking off a new season to the "Sounds of Black Joy" — our celebration of the music, stories, and community that make Voices of Our City extraordinary.

Enrique and Naylenie sit down with five beloved choir members — Benjamin, Stacey, DeForrest, Dr. P, and Dahani — for a conversation full of laughter, music, and the kind of togetherness that reminds us why community is everything.

Sounds of the Sidewalk is a podcast by Voices of Our City, an arts nonprofit using creativity and music to build community for people experiencing homelessness in San Diego.

💛 Love what you hear? Rate, review, follow & download — downloading directly supports our members' voices! 🎤 If you or someone you know is struggling with housing, please reach out or join us live on Mondays @ 11am for our open rehearsal — all are welcome!

Supported in part by the Conrad Prebys Foundation and Studio West.

Produced by: Shairi Engle & Enrique Rivera | Narration: Shairi Engle | Hosted by: Enrique Rivera & Naylenie Castillo

#SoundsOfTheSidewalk #BlackJoy #BlackHistoryMonth #VoicesOfOurCity #SanDiego #CommunityIsEverything #MusicHeals #JoyIsResistance #PodcastsOfColor #BlackCulture

If you would like to donate hit the link:

⁠https://www.voicesofourcity.org/donate

Sounds of Healing Hosted by Enrique Rivera and Naylenie Castillo, this episode features guest Luis Enrique, who opens up about his remarkable journey of recovery. From the struggles of addiction, depression, and homelessness to the redemptive power of creativity, community, and music, Luis shares how joining a choir helped him rediscover hope and ultimately find a home

If you're curious about how Voices can support you in your journey through housing insecurity, join us in-person every Monday @ 11am and sing along during our unique rehearsal open to the public! 2728 Sixth Ave, San Diego 92103. NO SINGING EXPERIENCE or RSVP REQUIRED. (Click here for more details!)

This podcast is supported in part by the Conrad Prebys Foundation's Art Bridging Communities Initiative AND by listeners like YOU!

To support Voices of Our City and members like Luis as they make their journey out of homelessness and into their next stages of growth, visit voicesofourcity.org to make your year-end, tax-deductible gift today.

https://www.voicesofourcity.org/donate

Episode produced by: Naylenie Castillo, Shairi Engle & Enrique Rivera

Narration: Shairi Engle

Sound Engineering and video editing: Enrique Rivera

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Wendell to explore his deep connection to the choir and the transformative role it plays in his life. From his first moments of curiosity to his ongoing evolution within the community, Wendell shares how music, fellowship, and personal growth intertwine in powerful ways. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about finding purpose, embracing change, and the beauty of belonging.

Whether you're curious about how Voices supports individuals navigating housing insecurity or simply want to experience the power of music and connection, this episode is for you.

Join us in person! Every Monday at 11am at 2728 Sixth Ave, San Diego — no singing experience or RSVP required. Come sing, connect, and be part of something beautiful. (except for holidays)

Still We Sing Benefit Concert and Creative Showcase:

https://www.voicesofourcity.org/event-details/and-still-we-sing-benefit-concert-and-creative-showcase-from-voices-of-our-city-choir

Supported by: The Conrad Prebys Foundation's Art Bridging Communities Initiative and listeners like you. 💛 Donate here

https://www.voicesofourcity.org/donate

Produced by: Shairi Engle & Enrique Rivera Narration: Shairi Engle

Sounds of Legacy – Special Episode: Sounds of the Sidewalk In this heartfelt episode, host Shairi Engle sits down with the co-producers and co-hosts of Sounds of The Sidewalk, Enrique Rivera and Naylenie, for an inspiring conversation about music, community, and resilience. Together, they explore how storytelling and song are transforming lives through the Voices of Our City Choir.

Whether you're curious about how Voices supports individuals navigating housing insecurity or simply want to experience the power of music and connection, this episode is for you.

Join us in person! Every Monday at 11am at 2728 Sixth Ave, San Diego — no singing experience or RSVP required. Come sing, connect, and be part of something beautiful. (ezcept for holidays)

Supported by: The Conrad Prebys Foundation's Art Bridging Communities Initiative and listeners like you. 💛 Donate here

https://www.voicesofourcity.org/donate

Produced by: Shairi Engle & Enrique Rivera Narration: Shairi Engle

Video version: https://youtu.be/2i0CSMThYVk?si=7yBbEgBONCGetFrF

The "Sounds of a Moment" round table episode commemorates the 5th anniversary of the Voices of Our City Choir's Golden Buzzer moment on America's Got Talent. This special episode features heartfelt reflections and stories from choir members Victor Lang, Raven Jones, Steph Johnson, Dennis Garcia, and Irma Gutierrez.

The choir originally gained national attention in 2020 with their powerful performance of "Sounds of the Sidewalk," a song born from the lived experiences of its members, many of whom have faced homelessness. Their Golden Buzzer moment, awarded by Terry Crews, was not just a recognition of musical talent but a celebration of resilience, community, and hope.

This anniversary episode revisits that transformative moment and explores how the choir has evolved over the years—continuing to uplift lives through music and advocacy in San Diego. It's a celebration of both the past and the ongoing journey of healing and empowerment through song.

If you're curious about how Voices can support you in your journey through housing insecurity, join us in-person every Monday @ 11am and sing along during our unique rehearsal open to the public! 2728 Sixth Ave, San Diego. NO SINGING EXPERIENCE or RSVP REQUIRED. (Click here for more details!)

This podcast is supported in part by the Conrad Prebys Foundation's Art Bridging Communities Initiative AND by listeners like YOU!

https://www.voicesofourcity.org/donate

Episode produced by: Shairi Engle & Enrique Rivera Narration: Shairi Engle

Want to help lift the Voices of this choir? Please rate, review, follow and DOWNLOAD Sounds of the Sidewalk. (Downloading helps promote our member's voices!)

If you're curious about how Voices can support you in your journey through housing insecurity, join us in-person every Monday @ 11am and sing along during our unique rehearsal open to the public! 2728 Sixth Ave, San Diego. NO SINGING EXPERIENCE or RSVP REQUIRED. (Click here for more details!)

This podcast is supported in part by the Conrad Prebys Foundation's Art Bridging Communities Initiative AND by listeners like YOU!

Episode produced by: Shairi Engle & Enrique Rivera Narration: Shairi Engle Guest: Karma Hosted by: Enrique Rivera & Naylenie Castillo

This is a story about the courage to dissolve, to trust, to emerge... and the power of community to hold us through our metamorphosis. This is Natacha's story. And it's a reminder that some wings are worth the wait.

Think life's cracks only let the light in? We're flipping that idea on its head! This episode dives into a high-energy rethink of resilience, "brokenness," and what it truly means to let your own incredible light shine out. Inspired by Japanese Kintsugi and the sheer brilliance of our special guest Juan, we explore how challenges can actually reveal the pure gold already within you. Get ready to see those cracks in a whole new, dazzling light!

Want to help lift the Voices of this choir? Please rate, review, follow and DOWNLOAD Sounds of the Sidewalk. (Downloading helps promote our member's voices!)

If you're curious about how Voices can support you in your journey through housing insecurity, join us in-person every Monday @ 11am and sing along during our unique rehearsal open to the public! 2728 Sixth Ave, San Diego. NO SINGING EXPERIENCE or RSVP REQUIRED. (Click here for more details!)

This podcast is supported in part by the Conrad Prebys Foundation's Art Bridging Communities Initiative AND by listeners like YOU!

Episode produced by: Shairi Engle & Enrique Rivera Narration: Shairi Engle Guest: Juan Cambell Hosted by: Enrique Rivera & Naylenie Castillo