Dance Programs Empowering Youth

The DEA Youth Dance Program has just finished another successful school year ending in 35 cities nationwide with thousands of children culminating their programs with schoolwide and community assemblies. Scholarships at local dance studios were awarded to students who exemplified dedication, teamwork and improvement.

A young student, Shaun, of Auburn, Washington is a stunning example of how the DEA Youth Dance Program can inspire change through its programs. Shaun was once an introverted kid who shied away from most social interactions, until that is, he found the DEA Youth Dance Program. As a 5^th grader, Shaun decided to sign up for the free after school dance classes and after finishing the program he received a generous scholarship from DEA YDP and the local dance company, Auburn Dance Academy. Shaun continued with his classes, taking a class once a week at the studio. In time, with his newly found confidence, he auditioned for the company's youth performance team, and he made it! Shaun, now 13 and in 7^th grade has performed for thousands of people, including hundreds of potential DEA YDP students in Washington state and at Nationals in Las Vegas. Shaun’s mom shared, “He has found a passion that I have never seen in him before, this will change his life forever. He wouldn't have done any of this without the program."

In other exciting news, The DEA Educational Foundation and DEA Youth Dance Program was highlighted in front of 100 countries early in June at the 32nd International Drug Enforcement Conference, hosted by DEA and the Columbian National Police in Columbia, South America. The program was shown as a positive and healthy alternative to drug use and key prevention program for youth and within schools. Since the conference, several countries have shown interest in implementing the DEA YDP program abroad.

The DEA Youth Dance Program also looks forward to participating in National Dance Day on July 25^th with Dizzy Feet Foundation who started National Dance Day as a campaign to encourage Americans to embrace dance as a fun and positive way to maintain good health and fight obesity. Dizzy Feet (A non-profit established by creators and judges of So You Think You Can Dance) has invited DEA YDP to perform at the Music Center in Los Angeles and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. National Dance Day was established to bring communities together by allowing audiences to see, learn and participate in choreography and movement and to bring public awareness of the importance of dance to the United States and beyond.

Links:

• DEA Educational Foundation