Local dancers were making a big impact south of then border, putting their artistic skills to good use. "One of the biggest things that we're trying to do through dance is teach selflessness as well.
Local dancers were making a big impact south of then border, putting their artistic skills to good use.
"One of the biggest things that we're trying to do through dance is teach selflessness as well. So not just getting on stage for yourself - that's of infinite value - but to be able to have a message with that," said Sarah Makins, owner and teacher at Fame Dance Studios. "I will always stick with the most joy is found in helping another, because it recycles the energy."
At the end of May, five Cold Lake dancers from Fame Dance Studios travelled down to Los Angeles to spend some time working at the Dream Center. A volunteer driven organization, the Dream Center assists over 80,000 low-income and homeless individuals and families each month with programs such as mobile hunger relief and transitional housing.
For two days, the five girls, along with other members of Fame Dance and parents, worked at the Dream Center. In the mornings, they would help deliver food with the food trucks that get stationed at different sites around LA.
"We're really privileged here. Even when we feel like we don't have as much as our neighbour, we're really living the rich life compared to most of the world. I think it's good if young people, and my children in particularly, have a realistic view of the world and know they're able to help people," said Nichole McKee, who went to the Dream Centre with her daughters, 15-year-old Brooklynn and 12-year-old Eden.
McKee added, "We were really impressed with the Dream Centre. They just really see the value of every human life."
During their first day, after handing out food, the group went to a housing project where they cleaned up a park for children in the area.
"It was five city blocks. They looked like rough condos and there was a massive park in the middle. We went and started picking up garbage and glass, because these playgrounds are not clean at all," explained Makins.
She added, "A whole bunch of kids came and we taught them hip hop. We taught them a flash mob that we had been teaching to different school kids in Canada, so they could a be part of this video."
The video is one of the major projects the dance troop was working on while at the Dream Center. With the help of Las Vegas videographer/photographer Sean Hale, they filmed their entire visit to LA and will be putting together videos from the footage. The main one will be used as a promotional video for the Dream Centre, showing what the organization does, what homeless looks like, and what each person can do to help.
During their second day, the Fame members took to the streets to hand out food again before heading to a local elementary school near the housing project to teach their moves to more students.
"It was a little bit emotional, but it made you feel really good that you're able to help them," said teacher Brianna Martim. "One of my students there was seven-years-old, so it was nice to see her help and hand out food to other kids her age; that was a good experience for her."
Their trip came about after years of travelling to Las Vegas and LA for dance competitions and being taken aback by the amount of homelessness. At first, the group tried to give out money, and then food to those in need, but Makins wanted to have a more coordinated involved.
That's when the McKee's pointed her to the Dream Centre.
Now, following a successful first visit, Makins plans to return with more students next year - and is challenging other recreational groups to do the same.
"We're hoping to start a chain reaction that just continues on. If everyone was selfless, there wouldn't be a problem."
For more information on the Dream Center, or how to get involved, go to www.dreamcenter.org.
