As we move deeper into spring and closer to our Inaugural Ripples of Hope event, I find myself reflecting on something truly special happening within the River Center community, the Ripples of Hope Community Choir.
This choir is more than a performance. It is a living expression of connection, healing and hope.
In forming this group, the River Center was challenged to find a local choir director to help bring this vision to life. In doing so, we were fortunate to connect with Jackie Neilssen, a gifted music educator who brings both expertise and heart to this work. Jackie is generously volunteering her time and travels from Keene to Peterborough every Sunday to lead rehearsals, a commitment that reflects her deep belief in the power of music and community.
As Jackie shared in reflecting on this experience: “I have always found singing with others to be both healing and exhilarating. It is very powerful to combine your musical expression with other voices. When I heard about this choir, it felt like an amazing chance for people to express their gratitude and hope for the River Center through singing. As we started rehearsing, I felt very welcomed immediately and it’s a wonderful and relaxed way to spend a Sunday afternoon. The choir singers are committed, curious, and excited about the music. We have some laughs, we sing a lot, and we all learn together how best to combine our talents for this amazing purpose, and sometimes there are even baked goods.”
What has emerged through this collaboration is something deeply aligned with the River Center’s mission. The choir brings together individuals who have participated in River Center programs over the years, families and children we have walked alongside in earlier chapters of their lives. Now, some return not as participants in need of support, but as contributors, leaders, and voices helping to create something beautiful for others. It is, in every sense, a full circle moment.
Recently, we experienced a powerful reminder of just how deep those connections run. One of our volunteer co-choir directors, Logainne Mackensen, discovered a scrapbook their mother had created. Inside was a clipping from the Monadnock Ledger Transcript featuring a photo of Logainne as a toddler and a story about how their family first connected with what was then the Family Resource Center of Greater Peterborough. Their mother, Christine, passed away in 2023, making this discovery especially meaningful. It speaks not only to one family’s enduring connection, but also to the longstanding relationship between our organization and the broader community. It’s a beautiful reminder that community is built over time, and that those connections ripple forward in ways we don’t always expect.
For younger participants especially, the choir provides a powerful experience of inclusion. It offers positive relationships, opportunities for belonging, and a safe space to use their voices, build confidence, and feel part of something larger than themselves.
While we often focus on the impact of adverse childhood experiences, we also know how powerful positive experiences can be. Supportive relationships, social connections, and opportunities to participate in something meaningful all help build resilience. The choir provides exactly that, offering consistency, encouragement, and a sense of belonging that shapes how young people see themselves and their place in the world.
None of this would exist without the River Center’s commitment to building connection and community in every form it takes. What has been created is not just a choir—it is an extension of our mission in action, where healing and growth happen through relationships, creativity, and shared purpose. We hope this choir continues to meet and grow for years to come.
As we prepare for our inaugural Ripples of Hope event, I am grateful for what this choir represents: that healing is not linear, that community can be built and rebuilt in beautiful ways, and that when people come together in song, something powerful and lasting is created.
We are always looking for more community singers of all ages. No experience is required, only a willingness to show up, listen, and add your voice. For more information feel free to email me at obutler@rivercenternh.org.