Dance Programs Empowering Youth

Fall is our favorite season here at the DEA YDP – it’s during these months that we get to share the joy and power of dance to new students all across the country! Our regional managers have been hard at work setting up and attending assemblies, booking professional dance companies and instructors, and registering hundreds of students for free after-school dance classes. In many cities, DEA agents have attended assemblies to speak with kids about the importance of a healthy, drug-free body and mind. Our fabulous trainer has been meeting with instructors from Boston, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Salt Lake (as well as several other cities through video conference) to introduce best practices in the classroom and new ways of delivering our message of positive alternatives to drugs and violence.

All of this would not be possible without your continued support of the DEA Youth Dance Program. We are so excited to be offering programming in dozens of cities to reach new students with an opportunity to learn dance and teamwork, build self-confidence, and have a safe place to go in those critical after-school hours. This year, we continue our partnership with DEA 360, a comprehensive approach to the opioid and heroin crisis bridging DEA, local law enforcement, education and community partners like the DEA Youth Dance Program. We had an exciting DEA 360 launch in Salt Lake City last week, with three new schools attending assemblies to watch our dance company partner, Samba Fogo, wow students with live Brazilian drumming and dance.

Throughout the next month, more launch assemblies will take place, more students will register, and more instructors will be in classrooms teaching dance and encouraging students to make positive, healthy life choices. We will continue to advocate for at-risk and under-served youth to receive high-quality arts education as an alternative to drugs and violence. Please join us in support of young people across the nation by making a donation, sharing our cause on social media, or telling a friend about the DEA Youth Dance Program. Together, we can make a difference!