Foundation of HOPE Graduation

Published on March 27, 2025

Following the latest Foundation of HOPE Pre-Release program graduation ceremony at Allegheny County Jail on Thursday, March 20, one of the participants approached violinist Devin Arrington, shook his hand and said, “Great job, you nailed it.”

Arrington, who holds a master’s degree in music composition from Carnegie Mellon University, has been performing at HOPE graduations at ACJ for about a year. The founder of the nonprofit Musicians with a Mission, Arrington’s organization started providing music in various healthcare facilities in the Pittsburgh area about 15 years ago.

Then COVID-19 struck, and the number of monthly performances dropped from an average of 10 to about five.

Arrington said he always wanted to volunteer at the jail. With some free time available, he contacted Liz Lepore, the Foundation of HOPE Pre-Release director. She suggested he perform during the graduations.

It turned out to be a perfect match.

“He always provides a powerful performance,” said Lepore, who now schedules graduations only on days Arrington is available.

At the latest ceremony, which saw 21 individuals graduate, Arrington performed his own piece “Heavenward: Meditation for Violin and Tanpura."

The song has an emotional feel to it, and that had Arrington feeling a bit antsy as he prepared to play.

The first time he performed at ACJ, Arrington recalled, the class asked that he play something more “funky.” He responded with an upbeat version of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”

He didn’t know how this crowd would react to his slower song that has an almost sad feel to it.

Arrington, who had one of his compositions performed at Carnegie Music Hall in New York City, said he performed "Heavenward" at a healthcare facility previously and one woman started crying.

There were no tears this time – only loud applause and a compliment to go with a friendly handshake.

About the Foundation of HOPE

The Foundation of HOPE is an interfaith nonprofit organization that provides Chaplaincy and Pre-Release programs at Allegheny County Jail.

The HOPE Pre-Release program is a vital part of the ACJ’s goal to give incarcerated individuals the tools they need to improve their lives in positive ways when they are released. Participants live together on the HOPE pod and take part in 60 hours of evidence-based classes. After graduating, they can remain on the pod as group leaders and mentors, while taking graduate-level classes.

The Foundation of Hope Pre-Release program graduated 482 participants in 2024.

For more information, visit Foundation of HOPE.

Media inquiries may be directed to Jesse Geleynse, Public Information Officer for the Allegheny County Jail
jesse.geleynse@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at 412-350-1267 or 412-760-4760 (cell).