Dance Programs Empowering Youth

The DEA Educational Foundation (DEAEF) continues to bring youth healthy outlets through movement, joy, hope and positive mentorship this summer through our important flagship program, The DEAEF Youth Dance Program.

This summer the DEAEF YDP is conducting dance camps, workshops and back-to-school events through our national programming, under the direction of the DEAEF regional directors and managers. The Foundation has also given multiple scholarships to acutely interested and dedicated youth who participated in our 2023-24 programs, so that they can experience dancing in a studio environment. Although summer often brings a much-needed reprieve from the school year schedule, it can also bring kids boredom, a lack of supervision, too much screen time and even negative behaviors. With our national still facing a tragic number of drug overdoses this year, now more than ever we need to reach our youth through safe outlets and prevention education. Not only does the DEAEF YDP provide a healthy outlet and build self-confidence, it introduces key drug awareness education and messaging to youth in a relatable way. This summer, camps are running coast-to-coast in cities such as Portland, ME, Raleigh NC, Memphis, TN, Cleveland, OH, Las Vegas NV and more!

As we begin to plan for the fall 2024, preparing for our educational assembly launches and dance class series across the country, we look forward to reaching thousands of students through the impressive work of our many dedicated dance partners and continuing to instill hope, one step at a time. 

Links:

• DEA Educational Foundation

The DEA Educational Foundation has danced into 2024 with an even greater motivation to bring our communities positive and healthy alternatives to drug abuse and misuse and to provide prevention education to our youth. With the continued loss of so many Americans due to the fentanyl epidemic we must increase our educational reach and outlets with strong mentorship and, most importantly, instill hope.

For 12 years the DEAEF Youth Dance Program has provided important education, team building, exercise and a place for artistic expression for America's youth. Since 2012, the DEAEF YDP students in dozens of cities have learned many styles of dance such as ballet, hip-hop, jazz, tap, cultural dance and more.

This year, in one of our current programs in Massachussetts, students said, "Dance can help you stay healthy and it can make you feel happy, and that helps you stay away from drugs and other bad things."  and "...dance keeps you healthy and keeps your mind off other things." Also, in one of our recent programs, partner Granite State Dance Center held a winter break camp focusing on drug awareness, expressive visual art, dance choreography and more. Our school programs and the winter camp gave youth a safe and fun place to go, all while focusing on health and camraderie.

In 2024, we anticipate the DEAEF Youth Dance Program will reach 60 cities nationwide and our waitlist will continue to grow. We are thankful to our talented and dedicated dance companies and instructors. In 2024, we look forward to continuing our mission of “Empowering Youth, One Step at a Time" and dancing out drugs!

Links:

• DEA Educational Foundation