Chicago Chapter Of Everybody Dance Now!

Performing at Adlai E. Stevenson High School.

While just an undergraduate at DePaul University, Sophia Horwich noted the lack of exercise opportunities and vehicles for creative expression in Chicago's public schools. She could recall loving Hip Hop and her experience of learning to express herself through dance, provided by instructor Elise Mattenson.

Combining her loves and what she saw as an unfulfilled need, she wanted to bring the benefits of dance to public school students, who hadn't had the opportunity. She was able to form a partnership with the group, EVERYBODY DANCE NOW! (EDN!), a youth-run organization committed to bringing free weekly dance programs to youth without access to these opportunities. It was a definite fit, and she opened the group's CHICAGO CHAPTER.



Sophia talks about her connection with EDN!, "What isn't there to love? I have never felt such a power to accomplish something pivotal and great in my own life and my own community until EDN!. It's a need, not a want, to help others, and this is the best way I know how."

This Chicago chapter includes nutrition education, service learning, and cultural programming with the weekly dance classes, which are provided free of cost to underserved youth. Sophia estimates that her chapter spends $30 for each student to participate in all sessions for an entire year. That's quite a bang for each dollar!

How does she do it? As Ms. Horwich stated, "[We] squeezed every cent from each dollar earned, and intend to continue to do this so we can offer our program to as many students in need in Chicago as possible."

Some of the children who benefit from EDN!Chicago's programs.

The Chicago, one of four active chapters, started out being offered at two Boys and Girls Club locations in the city. That was in 2012; by the next year, EDN! was offering eight different classes in seven different locations and was planning to add two more in 2014. Local media provides much support and publicity, helping to maintain this organization's warm welcome in the community.

Dance camp participant.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/sophia-horwich-everybody-dance-now-chicago/; and the above links.

Click here to visit Excel Workout Tools - OHK Webs.

Click here: FOREX SWORD - THE BEST FOREX INDICATOR SYSTEM