By Susan Parma | President. Dance To Live Inc.
Nexus is a residential treatment center for female adolescents recovering from drug addiction and a shelter for their children as well. Dance To Live has been offering services at Nexus for the past five and one half years. Nexus Recovery Center receives our services twice a month, with 2 classes per session - one for the younger children (the children of the addicted adolescents) and one for the young women themselves. We work with adolescents and children in separate classes to inspire health, physical endurance, self-esteem and confidence through different types of movement. Feelings which are impossible to put into words can be expressed and released through movement.
The population changes every few months - so it is necessary to tailor classes to those who are currently in residence. With the children we frequently inter-mingle games with movement exercises or Yoga. The games stress cooperation, respect for the space of others, enthusiasm, joy and pride in accomplishments. Participants applaude the successes of others as well as their own. Yoga, which requires balance and control, is frequently conducted in pairs to demonstrate that they can count on one another.
The Moms' classes are much like their children’s but demand more focus. The movements are challenging, group exercises insist that each pairing is with a different young woman - and, yes, they dance sometimes to favorite music which is chosen by vote. Ultimately as well as providing a safe, challenging, learning environment, we want to see smiles. These young women have had too few opportunities to smile.
As Michelle, for whom this site is in memory, said -" I always knew I was OK when I was dancing, that things would work out after all and that tomorrow would be a brighter, new day."
Thank you for helping us make a brighter day in the lives of these young women. One hundred percent of your donation is used to provide services. We are very, very grateful for your support.
Susan.Parma@DanceToLive.org
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