CAMDEN COUNTY, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — In Camden County, people with disabilities are showcasing their talent through song every Sunday, and building relationships and self-esteem, one song at a time.
Self-esteem and lots of confidence are what 25-year-old Lexi Yeatts of Cherry Hill said she has since taking part in the weekly Zoom choir program, "Together In Song," sponsored by the Camden County Family Support Organization. Lexi loves singing her favorite song, "This is Me," from the movie "The Greatest Showman."
"It's just very powerful," she said. "I love the song because it's got a great rhythm to it."
How does Yeatts feel after singing?
"More energetic, more joyful, more happy with myself and I don't have much anxiety," she shared.
And that's key in this pandemic, said program creator Joanne Holmes.
"This is their connection with the outside world," she said. "For the people with special needs, I just think being part of a community, you know, we see smiles."
Anyone can take part in the virtual choir. Yeatts' dad Tony Wilson is music producer and sometimes plays guitar.
"We feel better at the end of every week. Not just people we serve, but we ourselves get an uplift seeing the joy that is coming out of people's lives," he said.
Yeatts' mom, Sandy Wilson works for the Family Support Organization and got the nonprofit involved.
"I have a support group of grandparents raising special needs grandchildren and we have some of them who join. Some people bring a musical instrument with them, just bringing more party to the Zoom link."
"We can all be different and still be ourselves," said Yeatts.
Anyone can take part in the program, which meets next December 20. For more information, go to Camden County's website.