Photo: Matt Shearer/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Seated in front of a Christmas tree in Boston's Downtown Crossing, Ara B. uses her voice to spread holiday cheer. She was singing “Jingle Bells” when WBZ NewsRadio’s Matt Shearer crossed paths with her.
“When I’m sad I sing, when I’m happy I sing. The worst thing that I can do for myself is not sing,” Ara said.
Underneath her golden voice there is a story of struggle, heartbreak, and grief.
Ara says she was “brave enough to conquer an abusive relationship,” and is now experiencing homelessness. But, she says that “homeless is not hopeless.”
She also deeply misses her father, who passed away on Christmas Eve.
But no matter what, Ara stays positive. “There are a lot of things that will try to take the wind out of your sails in life. We’re just meant to persevere,” she said.
Her dream is to sing, and told Matt Shearer she was looking for a recording space. Matt reached out to The Record Co. in Dorchester, and surprised her with a recording session. And with the help of instrumentalist Gasoline Monk, her original song “Addicted” came to fruition.
You can stream the song for on Bandcamp, or pay whatever you want to download it. All the proceeds go to Ara.
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