Moving in the Spirit
IndepenDANCE, Inc.

In 1986, a pair of volunteers in an Atlanta housing project who believed in the inherently positive spirit of young people sowed the seeds of Moving in the Spirit (MITS). What began as the hopeful vision of two young women has blossomed into a program that annually serves more than 200 youth ages 3‚18 throughout Atlanta. Each year, the program presents performances to audiences in the thousands, both locally and nationally. Believing that dance can teach essential life and leadership skills, MITS is cultivating the next generation of confident young leaders through innovative education programs and thought provoking performances.

MITS predominantly works with minority students from underserved neighborhoods and allows youth to advance step by step. The program offers classes of increasing frequency and intensity and selects performances based on age and experience. Each level of training is suited to the individual child's intellectual and technical growth.

Students begin with Stepping Stones and advance to the Junior Company, where they receive additional training and performance opportunities. The Company uses employment contracts, modeling goals and expectations on workplace values to promote accountability and responsibility. Students create dance routines that address issues relevant to their lives. Then they perform at community venues throughout Atlanta, including senior centers, churches, and elementary schools.

MITS's Apprentice Corporation, for teens ages 13‚18, simulates a work environment. Students earn points, as they would a salary, throughout the intensive training program. The ultimate goal is to garner a spot on the national summer dance tour. These participants perform at venues across the country and even overseas.

Through its design, MITS nurtures leadership skills by giving students opportunities to transition into key jobs within the program. In fact, two Apprentice Corporation members serve on the board of directors. MITS's Mentoring Program furthers participants' personal development by pairing them with volunteer adult mentors. This segment incorporates a component called Family Time, whose goal is to encourage dialogue on such topics as drug and alcohol use and pregnancy prevention.