ALL ABOUT THE

WHAT IT IS:

Harmony, Hope & Healing is the embodiment of Marge Nykaza's lifelong mission: using music to create peace and harmony in her community and the world.

After founding Harmony, Hope & Healing in 2000, she led the organization for 20 years, expanding its reach and changing the lives of thousands in the process. Her use of music to empower people, as they healed from traumas associated with homelessness, addiction and incarceration, has enabled individuals and families to find their voice and improve their lives.

Although Marge has retired as our Executive Director, she continues to provide mentorship and guidance to the Harmony, Hope & Healing team and to lead the Harmony, Hope & Healing Choir at Old St. Pat’s. This fund will ensure that her legacy continues as we move forward.

The Marge Nykaza Founder's Fund will help facilitate the continuation and expansion of Marge's work. It will specifically go towards Harmony, Hope & Healing's Building Community Leaders Initiative, which offers paid internship positions to train people with lived experience to lead wellness classes in their own communities.

Join us in honoring Marge by giving to the Founder's Fund!

MEET THE FOUNDER.

Margaret Nykaza, D. Min., a professional singer, choir director, and educator; has shared her gifts and love of music with communities throughout the Chicago area and abroad for over forty years. In 2000, Marge combined her music and call for a deeper
commitment to serve our vulnerable neighbors by starting the work of Harmony, Hope & Healing (HHH). Incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2003, HHH continues to provide music programs for women, men, and children as they heal from traumas associated with homelessness, addictions, violence, incarceration, and isolation.

Marge holds an undergraduate degree in music education from Eastern Illinois University, a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, and is certified as a Cross-Cultural Music Healing Practitioner from The Open Ear Center. In 2014, she was awarded a Doctorate of Ministry degree from Graduate Theological Foundation.
A recipient of several awards, she has been honored with the Health Award from Health and Medicine Policy Research Groups, and Little Company of Mary Hospital’s Venerable Mary Potter Humanitarian Award. Marge and Harmony, Hope & Healing have been featured on 30 GOOD MINUTES, RELIGION AND ETHICS, and ARTS
ACROSS ILLINOIS. Under her leadership, Harmony, Hope & Healing participated in the Lyric Opera’s Chicago Voices Program and performed an original short musical entitled “A Circle of Hope” at the Harris Theater in 2016.

Having retired as founding executive director in 2020, Marge continues to sing, study, and serve as a mentor and consultant. She also enjoys staying connected with friends; and spending time with her dear husband Ed, three amazing sons and daughters-in-
law, and five beautiful grandchildren!