Supporting Giving Voice Initiative

Mission: Inspire and Equip

Giving Voice Initiative inspires and equips communities to bring together people with dementia and their care partners to sing in choruses that foster joy, well-being, purpose, and greater community understanding.

Vision: A Dementia-Friendly Chorus in Every Community

Giving Voice Initiative leads a worldwide movement to establish dementia-friendly choruses in every community. Their vision is simple yet powerful—ensuring that all people living with dementia and their care partners can experience the connection, joy, and purpose that a vibrant choral community offers.

Core Values

Joy
Reframing dementia from a story of despair to one of well-being and joy.

Innovation
Creating new ways to transform the experience of living with dementia.

Empowerment
Fostering purpose and belonging through shared singing.

Collaboration
Harnessing the collective strengths of singers, choruses, and partners to advance the mission.

Inclusion
Welcoming and celebrating all individuals living with dementia and their care partners.

Founders & History

Giving Voice was founded in 2014 by Marge Ostroushko and Mary Lenard, two women with a shared vision: to focus on the abilities of people living with dementia, not their limitations. Their personal experiences with Alzheimer’s inspired them to explore the healing power of music.

Through extensive research, they created Giving Voice—a nonprofit dedicated to creating dementia-friendly choirs that bring joy, purpose, and connection. Partnering with MacPhail Center for Music, they launched the first Giving Voice Chorus, led by Founding Artistic Director Jeanie Brindley Barnett.

The success of this first choir sparked a larger movement. With generous donor support and strategic partnerships, Giving Voice has helped launch over 70 dementia-friendly choirs worldwide through their free Giving Voice Toolkit.

Looking Ahead

Giving Voice Initiative continues to grow, supporting communities worldwide in launching dementia-friendly choirs. Their goal remains clear: to make the joy of singing together accessible to every person living with dementia and their care partners.

Join Lakeville Rotary in Supporting This Mission

Your support of the Lakeville Rotary Club’s 2025–2026 Honorarium helps fuel this inspiring movement—bringing music, connection, and hope to individuals and families living with dementia.

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