A local group is lending its musical chops to people in the community struggling with trauma and addiction. The group’s goal is to inspire others to write and share their stories through song—even if they don’t have any musical ability.
In a rehab facility near downtown Fort Myers last week, Hope by Song, performed some of the music they’ve put together. The group meets every few weeks in facilities like this to encourage people going through counseling to participate and share their stories.
The musicians take letters, journal entries and poems and turn them into music.
Nita Flores, who has a background in music coordination and social work, started Hope by Song about a year ago. Now, the group is working with addicts going through rehab, abuse victims at a local women’s shelter, and military vets struggling with PTSD.
Flores said the program has been therapeutic for everyone involved—the musicians, the writers and even the audience.
“We have watched women who have felt abandoned or have gone through years of abuse all of a sudden feel validated because someone took the time to hear them,” she said.
The musicians perform small live concerts so that the writers can hear their music. The songs are also available for everyone to hear online at hopebysong.com.
