SURVIVORS’ CHOIR
Creating a Culture of Innovation in Healing Justice
We are a community-led resource program that supports survivors of gender-based violence by providing essential services and a safe space for healing, belonging, and building community through song.
OUR MISSION
To expand access to critical services for survivors of gender-based violence through community-led, trauma-informed care that combines culturally responsive resources with healing arts programming
To support the Survivors’ Choir and help us make a difference:
WHAT WE OFFER
By combining essential public health services with holistic, educational, and artistic opportunities, we reimagine community health service delivery and create culturally responsive pathways to healing for underserved communities through:
Trauma-Informed Musical Community
Group choral instruction and musical activities led by facilitators trained in healing justice and inclusive practices. Our on-site counseling spaces and community-chosen gathering spaces provide a safe, welcoming environment where survivors can “come as you are.”
Comprehensive Support Services
Access to economic assistance, essential item donations, educational resources, transportation, childcare, and on-site crisis referrals for legal aid and housing support to remove barriers to participation. We also offer programs for friends, family, and youth to co-heal and rebuild together, including initiatives for secondary survivors. (Choir participation is optional to access services.)
Culturally Responsive Programming
Through partnerships with local organizations, we provide culturally specific healing justice and arts programming that uplifts community knowledge and practices.
OUR FRAMEWORK FOR CHANGE: HEALING JUSTICE
What is Healing Justice?
Healing justice is an approach to the healing process which centers efforts on the whole person and community, creating more impactful steps in advancing community health and wellbeing for violence survivors.
At the Survivors Choir, we embody healing justice through arts-based programming that empowers survivors to reclaim their voices and joy.
“Healing justice is a framework that identifies how we can holistically respond to and intervene on intergenerational trauma and violence, and to bring collective practices that can impact and transform the consequences of oppression on our collective bodies, hearts, and minds.”
How do we demonstrate Healing Justice?
Our goal is to build community-led capacity and advance coalition-building through healing justice, addressing systems that negatively affect the health and wellbeing of survivors.
We structure our work around four key pillars:
-
- Removing Barriers to Resource Access
- Advancing Community-Led Programming
- Centering Support and Consent
- Promoting Healing Arts
Removing Barriers to Resource Access
Advancing Community-Led Programming
Centering Support and Consent
Promoting Healing Arts
How do we demonstrate Healing Justice?
Our goal is to build community-led capacity and advance coalition-building through healing justice, addressing systems that negatively affect the health and wellbeing of survivors.
We structure our work around four key pillars:
-
- Removing Barriers to Resource Access
- Advancing Community-Led Programming
- Centering Support and Consent
- Promoting Healing Arts
Removing Barriers to Resource Access
Advancing Community-Led Programming
Centering Support and Consent
Promoting Healing Arts
How We Build Our Programming as a Community
Our programming is designed around community mandates. We observe principles of community-led organizing and conduct regular listening sessions with partners, community leaders, and choir participants to identify the programs and resources that are most essential to the community.
Our current development goals are based on feedback from our 2025 Community Listening Session hosted in Detroit, MI. You can view the results of this listening session here.
CURRENT CHAPTERS
Our inaugural chapter was founded in 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. The Survivor’s Choir Association is currently working on activating chapters across the U.S.
Individuals interested in participation in the Survivors’ Choir of Detroit can contact: survivorschoir@structuralinstitute.org
LEADERSHIP
Strategic oversight for the Survivors’ Choir Association is provided by its Board of Directors, which includes experts in music theory and community-led healing. Local chapter leadership is composed of survivor and allied community members, choral experts, community organizers, music therapy professionals, and stakeholders.
HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Our goal is to expand access to critical services that address the diverse resource needs of violence survivors in the US. We fund our efforts through direct donations, community and industry partnerships, philanthropy, and grant-seeking. To support the Survivors’ Choir, and help us make a difference:
*We are a registered 501(c)3 public charity. Our EIN number is 33-4297995. Donations are tax deductible and cover the costs of programming and services for survivors.
By donating, you help us offer survivors resources like…
Survivor Resources:
- Wraparound Referrals (e.g., public health, legal aid)
- Emergency Shelter Support/Referrals
- Transitional Housing Support/Referrals
- Transportation Vouchers
- Tangible Necessities (clothing, bedding, hygienic products, cell phones, calling cards, children’s toys)
- Direct-to-Survivor Economic Support
- Food Assistance (Fresh and nonperishable food items)
- School Supplies
Art Therapy & Healing Programs:
- On-Site Licensed Counseling
- On-Site Licensed Childcare
- Trauma-Informed Personnel
- Art Therapy-Trained Choral Directors
- Music/Choir Lessons/Rehearsals
- Choral Materials
- Sheet Music
- Venue Rental
- Accompanist
- Promotional Materials
- Youth Programming
- Group Meals
- Wage Remuneration
Community Engagement & Empowerment:
- GVB Prevention Programming
- Life Skills Workshops
- Financial Empowerment Workshops
- Youth Empowerment Initiatives
- Cultural Preservation
- Focus Groups Documenting Survivor Needs
- Evidence-Based Publications Documenting Service Model Impact
- Choir Performances