DanceMates Educational Arts, NFP

DanceMates Educational Arts, NFP is a 501(C)(3) Not-For-Profit organization that has served the community in dance, music and arts programs since 1994.

According to FBI statistics, the most dangerous time for youth is between 3pm and 7pm. During those hours, youth are most likely to become the victim of a crime, or to commit a crime. We want to keep our kids safe; we give kids a safe-supportive environment where they can learn and interact with others. Our mission is to reach out to communities that otherwise would not receive dance and arts programming. Special emphasis is placed on “under-served” and “at-risk” communities.

For the past twelve years, over 35,000 participants have benefited from dance instruction at our partnership locations housed in high schools, grammar schools, colleges, churches, and community centers. We teach over 60 classes each month, with over 1,500 students in attendance each session across all sites.

Our mission of 2008 is to increase teaching staff, cultivate more community partnerships and offer more after-school youth dance and art programs of all ages.

Afterschool programs teach Youth to:

• Work together as a team

• Have self respect and respect of others

• Express themselves in a positive way

• Have supportive adult role models

• Take responsibility and be accountable for actions

• Gain recognition by family & peers for positive behavior

• Learn conflict resolution

Very Special Thanks to our sponsors. Please support these generous community leaders:

BROWN’S CATERING

ELI’S CHEESECAKE

JEWEL OSCO

KISS 103.5 FM radio

KING CUTS (by Dempster Ave. in Skokie, IL)

LA SALLE BANK/BANK OF AMERICA

SUPERCUTS (by Six Corners in Chicago, IL)

TAQUERIA LA SIERRA

SABOR LATINO

CITY SMILES

*Some companies were removed from the above listing because promised contributions in kind or in cash were not received by the deadline date of December 2, 2007