The Ewajo Dance Workshop has grown from a small dance studio to a multifaceted organization that helps youth from diverse backgrounds find common ground while building individual skills. The After- School Program offers dance classes that reflect Seattle's African-American, Brazilian, Filipino and Native-American populations. Taught by guest artists called Cultural Heritage Specialists, classes take place in local schools during after-school hours, twice a week for 2 hours during the school year. Before the start of each class, students take part in chat sessions that allow them to talk about their thoughts and learn about social, cultural and historical issues. The Program concludes with city-wide community performances by the students. "This is a dance program for kids who wouldnÌt otherwise have the chance to be involved with dance. Its goal is to develop cultural and social skills through dance and through working together with other kids from a variety of backgrounds," notes Executive Director Edna Daigre. A recent 2-year grant from the City of Seattle is enabling Ewajo Dance Workshop to increase the number of youth served and to expand services such as transportation for the participants. The After-School Program complements a number of other Ewajo programs, such as Artist-in-Residence and Dance as a Cultural Expression, which works with homeless children through a collaboration with an elementary school.