Safe Housing United States Project #7968

A Residential Shelter for Adolescent Drug Addicts

by Dance To Live

Project Report | Oct 26, 2011
Report on the Shelter for Adolescent Drug Addicts

By Susan Parma | President, Dance To Live

The program at Nexus Recovery Center is progressing extremely well. We taught two group sessions once a week at the shelter each week in 2011. The adolescent Moms who are addicted comprise one session, and appropriately, that session is a more sophisticated session where we attempt to address feeling of insecurity, peer pressure, self destructive habits, confidence, courage, etc., through Movement Therapy. Dance Therapy, Yoga, and Adaptive Movement provide outlets for expression for many of these adolescent frustrations. Their children's classes are geared more to learning through play, respectful behavior toward others, following directions to work amicably in a group, etc., and just plain fun!

July is a month where Dance to Live ceases to provide classes as each of our year-long students qualifies for a camp for homeless children - BUT it is the Dance to Live therapist who teaches the dance classes at the homeless camp. So classes with our therapist just continue in a different location. In September the class schedule resumes and we will again be seeing our students in their residential setting.

We sincerely appreciate the support provided through the exposure at Global Giving. Drug addiction is not limited to certain children, it is a possibility that each of us might at one time have a child that becomes addicted. To have a resource that provides treatment over a substantial period of time and removes the child to a clinical residential treatment program ensures a greater chance of success. When adolescents are interacting with one another and each is striving to be a better person, that setting provides an arena for progress - and we are grateful to be a part of this successful program.

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Feb 13, 2012
2/12Report on the Shelter for Adolescent Addicts

By Susan Parma | President, Dance To Live

Dance To Live has consistently conducted 4 classes per month for the last several months of 2011 and into 2012. Our intent is to continue this schedule through 2012. The need for treatment for teenage addiction is not abating and, if one factors in the impact of such addiction on the children of those teens, then the imperative to offer assistance to these young mothers becomes abundantly clear.

We continue to be rewarded by our contact with these young women. They are young and strong and possess the ability to make changes to their lifestyle, which could become more difficult when they are older and trapped in the cycle of addiction. By the mere fact that their children are housed at the treatment center with them and receive classes from Dance To Live, albeit separate classes that are choreographed for their age group, they share a common healing experience with their mothers.

We are impressed as we work with the girls and their children to learn to express feelings through movement, support other young women in their class, appreciate what is being offered to them, and voice love for members of their family who they know care about them. The girls are young and hopeful, and because of this we know we can make a difference in their confidence, trust, strength (both physical and mental), and performance. Accomplishments earned in the Dance To Live classes prepare them to succeed in other challenges. If one can master a difficult Yoga pose, the balance required for that transcends into other aspects of their lives. Exercise, expression, music, motion, release from daily struggles in a healthful setting - all these are tools for their future survival.

Thanks to all of you who have supported Dance to Live in its mission to provide movement as a healthy and effective method for a child to transcend the challenges of the moment and to work toward emotional and physical well being. It is a means of expression, connection, co-operation, an outlet for emotion and a source of joy for children of all ages, backgrounds and physical abilities.

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