Dance Programs Empowering Youth

Although 2025 has been a challenging year for many, the DEA Educational Foundation continues to work around the clock to bring prevention education, positive outlets, hope and smiles to youth across the country. The DEA Educational Foundation has continued to expand its efforts in providing youth programs, now in over 85 cities, across the United States. The DEAEF Youth Dance Program, the Foundation’s flagship youth program, remains our largest program reaching thousands of youth each year. Throughout the 2024-25 school year, the dance programs impacted youth in schools, youth clubs and community sites through the energetic and artistic outlet of movement. We reached youth coast to coast and in big cities and small towns with a range of different styles of dance. Every day we receive the reports from our instructors about the kids’ smiles, teamwork and healthy expression. 

In the summer season, when kids often need outlets the most, the DEAEF provides many fun camps and scholarships that provide youth with a fun and healthy outlet, led by strong mentors in a safe location. In June alone we provided dance camps to students in many cities across the country, such as Raleigh, Miami and Sacramento. And this trend will continue throughout the summer in Albuquerque, Manchester, Las Vegas and more.  Every day in their comments and evaluations, our youth make clear what these programs mean to them.

-------

“Dance is my reason for getting out of bed.” -Chrissi 

“Dance is something that not only lets me express myself, but it helps me connect with other people in ways words cannot.” - London

-------

 As we embark on our summer youth programs and head into the new school year the DEAEF staff will continue to ask, “What can we do to make a difference in someone life? What can we do to make someone smile today?” We are committed to our goals of reaching youth and saving a life, one step at a time.

Links:

• DEA Educational Foundation