Gokey’s foundation partners with local schools

American Idol star Danny Gokey will give back to the Milwaukee community yet again, this time in support of music and the arts through his Sophia’s Heart Foundation. The foundation recently announced the formation of its Music & Arts Program in partnership with St. Marcus School and the Lincoln Center of the Arts in Milwaukee. The news comes just after he signed a major marketing deal with New Berlin-based Wisconsin Vision.
The program will feature a contemporary children’s choir made up of students from Milwaukee’s central city schools, audition’s for the choir have already been held and the first official practice will be held on Monday, April 12.  Jeff Krumbein, music director at St. Marcus Lutheran Church will lead the choir.
“It is with great excitement that I get to share the progress Sophia’s Heart has made,” said Danny Gokey, founder and president.  “We are starting our first Music and Arts program right here in my hometown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Milwaukee holds a special place in my heart I want Sophia’s Heart to be established here and make a difference.”
According to Steve Glynn, interim executive director for the foundation here in Milwaukee, Sophia’s Heart Foundation has a presence in Nashville, Tenn.; and in Los Angeles, Calif., but the program in Milwaukee is the first to officially get off the ground. Gokey’s vision for the foundation was inspired by his late wife Sophia.
“He wants to give families hope and opportunity,” said Glynn. “He wants to do it by capturing the hearts of kids through music, arts, dance technology or whatever need they may have. The foundation will offer fun programs where kids can learn life skills, be given a fresh start and that will hopefully have a positive effect on the local neighborhoods.”
“I was able to experience the great love and compassion (my wife Sophia) had towards children and families,” Gokey said. “I want to take that same love and conviction to everyone who needs a fresh start and begin to develop in them the tools and tenacity to be everything they were created to be.”  
According to Glynn, The Foundation has hopes of expanding the program in the Milwaukee community, doing concerts and appearances with Gokey and influencing the students in the community in the most positive way it can. St. Marcus School is excited to be the first school in Milwaukee to launch the program. 
“The best hope for effective change in the central city is realized when community institutions like St. Marcus partner with vibrant foundations like Sophia’s Heart,” said Henry Tyson, superintendent for St. Marcus School.  “Sophia’s Heart provides critical resources: people, programs, and passion.  St. Marcus is already linked to the community and has an existing infrastructure for outreach.  The result of this partnership is the creation of possibilities, hope, and purpose for children and their families.”
The program is planning two events for later this summer, most likely in conjunction with Gokey’s appearance at Summerfest on July 4.
“The vision of inspiring hope in children and families has not been easy to achieve,” said Gokey, “But we have shared the vision with fervency.  Slowly but surely people are seeing a glimpse of what we have seen, and offered us the support that we so desperately need…Alone we can do very little, but working together hand in hand we make an unbelievable impact.”