|
|
|
|
September E-Newsletter
Welcoming the New School Year
A Step Beyond is a dance-based youth development organization that serves low-income students in North County San Diego. Our first year concluded with 35 students receiving weekly creative dance instruction, academic tutoring and family service support. These students will continue with us over the next ten years as we expand every year to include new students.
Our goal is to create opportunities for every child to experience success, graduate from high school and go onto creating rewarding futures. Most of our students will be the first in their families to attend college.
|
|
|
|
DANCE EDUCATION: Every child deserves to experience the joy of dancing. Through creative dance instruction students explore and expand their natural range of movement, work independently and collaboratively to solve movement challenges and learn mindfulness dance practices. At the conclusion of our first year many of our students created close bonds with their peers, felt more confident in their bodies and discovered the freedom and satisfaction of creating and performing their own dances.
|
|
|
|
ACADEMICS: Our tutoring program assisted 23 third and 12 fourth graders this past year. Students had an opportunity to enhance their skills through one-on-one academic mentoring and computer programs used by their schools. At the end of the school year 86% of our students showed growth in their overall GPA. Academic gains were made in reading, language, and math. Teachers and parents of our students were amazed by students' academic progress and the confidence they now have to take on new challenges.
|
|
|
|
FAMILY SERVICES: When students are living below the poverty line, instability and trauma can be a regular part of their lives. For these students, A Step Beyond can serve as their lifeline. This year, one of our students (not pictured above) was struggling both at home and at school. Through our Family Services Program this child and their new family received one-on-one and family counseling. By the conclusion of their first year with A Step Beyond, we have already seen a significant difference. At school their GPA increased drastically and their teacher noted that the child seems happier, more confident and is more able to concentrate on schoolwork. At home, their guardian noted that they are more cooperative, more considerate and overall more willing to be part of their new family. At A Step Beyond, we have also seen the difference. We see a child who is more compassionate and kind towards other students, takes on leadership roles and has an almost perfect attendance. We are so proud to see such a significant impact in just one short year with our program.
|
|
Ways To Get Involved
Join us by volunteering, interning, or donating!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
