Dance, Children, and Giving Back
August 24, 2017 at 4:30 am,
No comments
Dancing for Donations' Sara Battaglia is a dance instructor with passion. Passion not just for her art, but also for the community. Her program offers dance classes in exchange for donations to charitable organizations! They currently have four different classes for kids ages 2-13 and at all stages of ability! PurposeMall had the chance to hear from Sara, and we think you'll be inspired to get moving yourself!
(PM - PurposeMall | SB - Sara Battaglia)
PM: What products or services does your company provide?
SB: My program offers dance classes to all abilities of children in exchange for donations to different charitable organizations. We currently offer 2 different age groups, 2-6 and 6-up. We currently teach ballet, tap, jazz, and hope to add acro and other dance styles soon! Classes take place at the wonderful, We Rock the Spectrum-Tampa! Our wonderful facility allows us to use this space for free, they love being able to give back to the community as well!
PM: How did you get your initial inspiration?
SB: My inspiration for the program was solely my love for dance, children, and giving back. I wanted to find a way to put all of the things I love into one thing and that is how the program was created!
PM: Why did you decide to add a "give back" component?
SB: The “give back” component was something that I was always passionate about. I love to give to the community and my students. I am always willing to help my students in, or outside of class. I know when I was a child, my dance teacher was a huge role model for me, even today they still are! I want to be that for other children; a role model, teacher, and a friend! I wanted to offer dance classes to kids who may not typically “fit in” in a dance studio setting. I do not see a disability, I see someone who is simply differently abled. I also know that dance is very expensive! I wanted kids whose parents could not afford it to be able to dance. I also always want to help the community and being a college student, financially that is not always an easy option. The program lets me do multiple things I love, teaching ALL kids dance and giving back to the community!
PM: Tell us more about the impact your company is having on the world?
SB: For one, it is allowing special needs kids to be involved in an all-inclusive environment. It is also allowing typical kids to be in an environment where being in a wheelchair, or being “different” is normal, and accepted! Many programs try to isolate special needs kids into their own classes or category and I simply don’t think that benefits them! They are no less than the other children, they just need to learn differently, or move differently and that is completely ok!
Second, we allow these classes basically “free!” It gives children an opportunity that they may not have otherwise. They get to be social, make friends, exercise, have fun, and learn to follow a teacher!
Lastly, we take donations instead of charging for classes. So far, we have donated to Feeding Tampa Bay, the Humane Society, My Brother Rocks the Spectrum, STANO foundation, the Epilepsy Foundation, as well as several other organizations. Currently, we are collecting items for the Low Rider Dachshund Rescue of FL (lots of dog items!) and the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (about $500 now).
PM: What is the greatest or most inspirational story you've heard from the impact your "give back" component has had?
SB: I think what continues to inspire me to continue this program is how it impacts not only the parents but also the children. One of my students came to the second class I ever had. She has a rare form of autism and was honestly running around the room! I wasn’t sure what to do! Her mom asked me if it was okay if she continued to come. I said “Absolutely! As long as she is having fun! I don’t care!” Well, that same child comes weekly and is a completely different kid. She not only follows, but she even sings the songs! Not every day is a good day for her, or any of my kids for that matter. However, persistence is what really shows in any child’s life.
PM: If you could only choose one of your products or services, which one really gets you excited?
SB: Well we only really have the 2 services! Dance classes and giving back. But if I were to choose I’d say we can really boogie! 😉
PM: Plans for the future?
SB: Our plans for the near future are to host a holiday show. We are still looking for a location to do so! We also are hoping to become a non-profit to allow us to continue to grow and be able to accept more kids and have even more classes!
For long term, I see the program growing really large! We went from 1 class of 15 kids to 5 classes, and the ability to take in 60 kids! We hope to continue to having children of all abilities feel welcomed and have a safe place to have fun and come dance! As well as, give back to the community in the donations that we collect!
For more information visit Dancing for Donation's Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/dancingfordonations/
Read more inspiring stories --> SUBSCRIBE to PurposeMall by CLICKING HERE.
No comments
Leave a reply
Cart
Cart is empty.