Music and mission came together at the Brisben Center as country artist Steven Cade delivered an intimate live performance for residents of the Fredericksburg homeless shelter as part of his Giving Guitars Tour on July 11.
“I had spent some time thinking about doing something more than just trying to be [an artist] and do something more with the music I enjoy making,” Cade said. “Having experienced hard times with my family in the past, I realized there has to be a sense of compassion and wanting to give back and help others. I found my calling through the Giving Guitars Tour.”
Country music artist Steven Cade (second from left) is pictured here with his wife Kellee Cade (left), CEO of The Brisben Center David Cooper (third from left), and Fredericksburg Mayor Kerry Devine (right) after Cade’s performance at the homeless shelter July 11. (Photo courtesy of The Brisben Center.)
Cade founded the Giving Guitars Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, in 2021 and has visited 143 shelters and other organizations in 22 different states across three countries, and has gifted over 250 new guitars.
“Music is so powerful, and everyone gets touched by it,” Cade said. “It’s a form of healing, and it’s a tool you can use to help you fight your battles in life.”
The Brisben Center helps individuals and families in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline and King George that face homelessness transition into lasting self-sufficiency.
“We have short-term plans, such as looking into getting them into housing quickly, and also long-term plans,” Resource Development Officer Chris Payton said. “Those include things such as finance classes, such as managing a budget and then also reconciling families as well.”
The Brisben Center, which opened in 1988, has assisted thousands of families and individuals experiencing housing instability. It does not rely on state or federal funding, but partners with the community to help those affected by homelessness.
“We serve a particular population of the homeless that has the motivation and responsibility to improve their lives,” CEO David Cooper said. “Since we’ve been here for decades, we are the subject matter experts in this area of homelessness for a particular population.”
After being gifted the guitar, Brisben Center workers lined up volunteers to teach lessons to youth and adult residents who are interested in learning how to play the instrument.
“Music is spiritually uplifting, and the folks, particularly the children, enjoy music,” Cooper said. “On occasion, we have had some folks who just arbitrarily step up to play the piano we have here, as well as we’ve had some folks here in the past to play guitar.”
This signed guitar was donated by Steven Cade and the Giving Guitars Foundation. (Photo courtesy of The Brisben Center.)
The Brisben Center has over 2,000 volunteers a year that come out to help with a variety of things, from preparing and serving meals to teaching classes on professionalism and financial literacy. Germanna Community College nursing students conducted health screenings at the facility in the past.
“We’ve even had people who used to be former residents of the Brisben Center return to volunteer and speak to the residents,” Payton said. “Even one of our board members was here as a 6-year-old child.”
After speaking to the residents, Cade performed a set of songs and then presented the guitar gift. He later headed to a performance at Colonial Tavern in Fredericksburg, where he advocated for the Brisben Center by raising funds and awareness. The center experienced a funding cut from local governments this budget cycle, which took effect July 1.
“I do this because music can help you expand horizons and visions,” Cade said. “Sometimes healing doesn’t come from just money or medicine. It comes in the form of melody.”
