Posts Tagged ‘Alvin Ailey’ (Feed)

 

Children's Aid Society Community Schools: Arts and Culture – Celebrating Dance and Cultural Diversity – August 19th, 2009

dance1819Dance is a dynamic tool to engage, stimulate and streamline a child’s natural energy and self-expression.   The Children’s Aid Society offers a number of dance programs, clubs and camps – at their community schools which inspires young people to listen, feel and move to the rhythm of great music.  New York City is known as the “Cultural Mecca of North America”, and we believe ALL  students, regardless of income, should have an opportunity  to enjoy full access and exposure to the arts.

Some shining examples of our programs are the Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics’ Capoeira , named for the Brazilian movement, combining dance, martial arts and break dancing; and the Ailey Camp, a wonderful collaboration with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.  Ailey Camp participants are challenged to explore their full creative potential.  It’s ballet819fabulous to hear them recite the daily affirmation:  “I will not use the word can’t to define my possibilities.”

We also partner with the American Ballet Theatre in their Make a Ballet program, where students are taught to create, choreograph, and perform their own original ballet. This magical program not only teaches the beauty and discipline of dance, but also introduces them to the world of professional performance art – both behind-the-scenes and on stage.dance2819

Recently, Children’s Aid Society youth participated in a glorious celebration of dance and culture at the African American and Dominican Heritage Festival 2009. Dance performances ranged from Salsa to Hip-Hop and Step.

Dance is the harmonious synthesis of self-expression, discipline, artistry and culture.  Children’s Aid Society dancers acquire a unique set of skills, knowledge and cultural experiences that will serve them and last a lifetime!

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New York’s Children’s Aid Society serving Children: Our Community Partners Make it all Happen! – August 7th, 2009

The Children’s Aid Society in New York could not flourish without all the community agencies and organizations that it works with. These partnerships ensure that our services are as complete, accessible and effective as possible – helping to stretch our resources. Working with our partners allows for innovation in our programs as we benefit from the experiences of others.

One great example is our community schools.  Our leading partner is the New York City Department of Education. This year there are also over 100 partners in this effort, bringing fabulous results.  Leading examples include Alvin Ailey, American Ballet Theatre, and Michael cas87Roberts restaurant. For more information about community schools, please visit us here.

We are also founding members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (B&GCA) and are working more closely than ever with the Clubs’ local, state, regional and national staffs. One partnership with B&GCA is at our Dunlevy Milbank Center: the B&GCA was the recipient of the largest gift made to date by Microsoft, bringing its latest hardware and software to children using our cutting-edge facility.

There are far too many partners to name individually, but our community partners include city, county, state and federal agencies and departments; hospitals; health providers; colleges and university graduate schools of social work, nursing, medicine and education; mental health providers; community development groups; service societies; parents groups; police groups; youth-serving agencies; child and family welfare coalitions; school boards; housing alliances; food cooperatives; and scores of other agencies, businesses, church groups, professional associations, task forces and volunteers.  Lots of Volunteers!

And any list of partners with the Children’s Aid Society would also not be complete without acknowledging the support of thousands of donors that help finance these important programs, helping bring brighter futures to so many youth at risk! To learn more about donations, visit us here.

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Children's Aid/AileyCamp: Dance and the Power of the Self – July 13th, 2009

dancer1New York’s Children’s Aid Society provides several types of summer camp experiences in and around New York City, providing all-day adventures for children ages 5-14. The activities are designed to emphasize creativity, skill, youth development and social learning – while still remembering that summer is meant to be fun.

One of the more unique opportunities for developing self-confidence and creativity is the Children’s Aid/AileyCamp, a singular experience that provides underserved middle school students with the power of expression of dance and art.

Children’s Aid/AileyCamp is an innovative six-week summer dance camp that also uses dance as a vehicle for developing a sense of worth and confidence for underserved youth. Creative expression and critical thinking skills are developed: empowerment that carries over to other activities and walks of life. Students begin each day with the AileyCamp Daily Affirmation-”I will not use the word can’t to define my possibilities.”

Alvin Ailey was a visionary dancer and choreographer who founded the world renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Theater fifty years ago, changing forever the perception of American dance. Today the legacy of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater continues with extraordinary artistry from the current company’s dancers and Artistic Director.  Students need no prior dance experience to attend Children’s Aid/AileyCamp. Once involved, they experience beauty, spirit, and passion that knows no bounds.

2danceThe students develop a strong sense of self and self-expression; within this unique opportunity, teens learn and use dance as a vehicle for developing self-esteem. What a fantastic message to learn as a young person making his/her way in the world!

During the summer of 2007, the highly successful Children’s Aid/AileyCamp expanded to a second Children’s Aid Society site, on Staten Island. (The original location remains in the Mirabal Sisters Campus community school in Washington Heights.) The camps’ final, emotional performances in August stand as strong testimonials to the power of the arts to change lives.

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The Children's Aid Society's Camps Combine Educational and Cultural Experiences with, "Good old summertime fun" – July 10th, 2009

cas-camps09In 1873 in New York City The Children’s Aid Society leased and then equipped a large house on Staten Island, establishing the first “Fresh Air” type of vacations for city children and mothers. The rural surroundings offered an escape from hot city streets and stifling tenements that the children faced every day.

Then, in 1884 The Children’s Aid Society developed summer health and vacation homes in Brooklyn, New York’s Bath Beach and on Coney Island to help poor, sick children recover from illness.The sea air was considered an effective cure for the diseases and malnourishment of city life where children lived in archery-at-camp-cas09unsanitary and overcrowded tenements.

New York’s Children’s Aid Society today continues not only help to keep children safe, but introduce engaging and stimulating activities at camp. It’s important to have fun, but also to try to counter the “summer slide,” when students lose educational ground during summer vacation. Learning is fun and invigorating at these many camps, including:

Country Day Camps and City Day Camps – These programs combine summer activities with field trips to recreational, cultural and historic destinations, bringing children from different neighborhoods and cultures together.

Dance Camp - Alvin Ailey Camp combines typical day camp activities and field trips, along with the unique opportunity to learn and use dance as a vehicle for developing self-esteem. Creative expression and critical thinking skills follow.

Respite Camp – A year-round Respite Camp for physically and developmentally disabled children from low-income families. Respite campers participate in activities that would otherwise be inaccessible to them because of their disabilities and limited financial means.

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