Every year, hundreds of Uniting Voices singers from our after-school program head out on tour, traveling domestically via the Bridging America Tour, and internationally, as part of the Voice of Chicago experience. We’ve visited dozens of American cities and 26 countries and this year is no different, as our singers are hitting the road in Atlanta, Minneapolis, New York City, St. Louis, Washington, D.C. and Italy!
Neighborhood Choirs from different parts of the city are paired together, and cross-city friendships often bloom while on tour. Aaliyah from the Humboldt Park Neighborhood Choir and Jayla from the Austin Neighborhood Choir formed one of these friendships while on tour in 2022 to Puerto Rico!
At first, Jayla was scared to speak with Aaliyah because she was afraid they wouldn’t have similar interests. But Aaliyah felt that Jayla looked really nice and was a potential friend, so they formed a connection. While on tour, they bonded over shared interests and experiencing Puerto Rico together: trying local cuisine from food trucks, learning the culture in museums, and seeing local wildlife.
After they returned from tour, they remained in touch, and their friendship has grown from once a week check-ins and social media likes to texting almost every day and sharing everything with each other. Both of them credit their friendship with expanding their points of view and understanding of Chicago. And even if they don’t see each other every day, as Aaliayah says: “You don't have to see each other or talk every day in order to still be best friends because in the long run, she knows that I'm only one text message away if she ever needs me.”
Aaliyah and Jayla’s friendship is just one of many cross-city connections that have formed thanks to the tour experience, and our singers also make friendships with the local youth they meet while visiting other cities, states and countries. For Jayla, this gave her the chance to step out of her comfort zone and become friends with young people born and raised in Puerto Rico, some of whom she still keeps in contact with to this day. Both singers hope that every Uniting Voices student can have a similar experience to them.
“The experiences should be available to all young people because the long bus rides and team building activities give you a lot of time to connect with people you didn't know you needed in your life.” - Aaliyah
“The experience itself already allows young people to explore and finally get out to places they’ve never thought of visiting, and the connections that are made by young people at young ages tend to last longer and will allow for greater advancement of the mind.” - Jayla
You can help ensure singers just like Aaliyah and Jayla have access to the transformative power of the tour experience. Our Alumni Tour Fundraiser is open for just a few more days, and we’re looking to raise $8,000 to send eight singers on tour at no cost to them. Make a donation by March 28 and make a difference in the lives of our singers!