The Atlanta Homeward Choir is a men’s choir whose members come from all walks of life, some with prior music training and many without. Entering its fourth season, the Atlanta Homeward Choir has received national, and international media attention and continues to grow as it shares its mission to uplift, encourage and instill a sense of community through the music. Many members of the choir are guests of the Central Night Shelter, a joint effort of Central Presbyterian Church and The Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, both located on Capitol Hill in downtown Atlanta. The Shelter provides a warm place to sleep, a nourishing meal and a hot shower for approximately 100 men every night. Many of the men are currently working or actively seeking employment. 

 

The choir season begins when Central Night Shelter opens its doors on November 1 and continues through March 31 when it closes. Membership in the choir is open to all shelter guests, as well as to other members of the community who were once homeless and are now housed.  

 

The Atlanta Homeward Choir uplifts the men who participate while changing the perception of homelessness in the community by exposing the gifts in these fellow human beings who have been so easily overlooked. 

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MISSION

The Atlanta Homeward Choir works to bring together members from every background and belief system who have ever battled homelessness, using music and performance art as a vessel to uplift, encourage and instill a sense of community in its participants.

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HISTORY

The Atlanta Homeward Choir was formed in November 2013 by Dónal Noonan, Music Minister at The Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, located in downtown Atlanta. Dónal was moved by what he saw on his morning commutes through the downtown streets. He noticed the same faces each day, offering a morning greeting as they sat as if they were waiting for something. The native of Kilcock Co. Kildare, Ireland wanted to help these familiar faces and came to the realization that music was his biggest gift to share. Dónal went to the Central Night shelter, and asked for volunteers to join the choir. What began with a few grew to nearly 20 members. Over the last three years, the choir has performed around Atlanta and received numerous accolades. In 2015, the Choir traveled to Washington DC and performed at The White House and on the steps of The Lincoln Memorial. The performers’ confidence was lifted and self-worth improved as they felt what it is like to be part of a community again and found some stability in lives that may have otherwise felt unstable.

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