Choir releases CD with goal of helping homeless

They connected through the Urban Ministry Center.

Before each rehearsal, members of the Voices of Love choir pray.

Many of them, like William Pumphrey, say it’s like therapy.

“It’s about adding structure to often painful, painful broken lives,” Pumphrey said. “It’s helping me to rebuild my life.”

He’s been making his way around Charlotte without permanent housing on and off for four years. But in the group at the Urban Ministry Center, he said he feels home.

 

“I’ve always had a problem feeling like I don’t fit in,” he said. “But I try to fit in. I feel like I fit in here.”

Choir director Philip Harris said he’s seen the music ministry transform people.

 

“Some of them come in with tears and say it keeps their sanity,” Harris said. “As long as it’s doing that, that’s major.”

Now the choir has taken a big step. With production assistance from Elevation Church, it’s releasing its first CD.

 

Harris said the goal is to raise more funds to help the homeless.

“You’re able to sell (a) CD and give back to the center and the city, which helps community, and at the same time, your music goes out to encourage others,” he said.