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PAZAZ
to spring or leap
2 Samuel 6:16 |
Ministries on the Move, Inc., better known as M.O.M., is
a not-for-profit organization incorporated in November 2009,
to provide disadvantaged youth with the art of dancing
opportunities to deter them from drug, alcohol and tobacco
use, criminal activity, and other high-risk behaviors during
the peak crime hours afterschool; and to provide them with
an opportunity to learn life skills i.e., conflict
resolution, anger management, refusal skills, career
awareness, peer leadership, teacher appreciation,
self-esteem, self control, problem solving, community
service, teamwork, family involvement and decision-making,
literacy and math improvement and mentoring.
The
youth, ranging in ages from 6 -18, come from both Illinois
and Missouri to participate in learning Julliard-based
dancing techniques that incorporate liturgical, ballet, mime
and praise dancing and life skill workshops.
These
vital programs provide youth with an alternative for
productive use of their spare time while learning the power
of expression through interpretive dance. One of the main
attractions our youth look forward to each year is our
annual dance lock-in where more than a hundred youth come
together for a sleep-in combined with dance instruction
throughout the night. This year's event was held June 26th &
27th at the Richmond Heights Recreational Center, in
Richmond Heights, Missouri.
Dance experts from around
the area mentored youth at this event throughout the night;
working intensively with the participants in developing or
enhancing their skills.
The culmination of this event
takes place forty-five minutes prior to dismissal in an
ambiance of Praise and Worship Celebration, where
participants are given the opportunity to display the
techniques that they have been taught throughout the night.
Our newly added mentoring activity, Wrap Around the Arts
Day, began this summer on July 7th. Seventy-five young
people were allowed the opportunity to visit The St. Louis
Art & History Museums, The St. Louis Black Repertory
Theater, and participate in dance classes and had swimming
to culminate their day. Since this event was such a success,
we have been encouraged to offer additional series prior to
December 31st. We also have mentoring programs that consist
of literacy and math improvement as well as drama classes,
healthy living programs, and wellness & positive character
building workshops.
Each event affords our youth the
opportunity to see various areas of the Arts and to
participate in our on-going mission: "To encourage a spirit
of unity amongst Christian dancers in glorifying God through
the performing arts”.
The impact that we have made in
our community has been reiterated by young participants who
have commented: "I didn't have a good time; I had a GREAT
time." To receive positive feedback from group leaders and
pastors, who have stated that they are encouraged by what we
are doing with the youth of their organizations and
churches, gives us the incentive to continue with the goals
and vision of our organization.
Our annual Yuletide
Dance Worship Celebration, which takes place the last Sunday
after Christmas, is a community Praise Dance Celebration and
Banquet. This year will mark the third time we will be
fortunate to allow approximately 15-25 dance groups in our
community the opportunity to come together with an audience
of more than 500 attendees, to express and share their gifts
through the art of dance worship at a world renown location
known as The National Shrine Of Our Lady of the Snows.
Additionally, we host one-day dance workshops for
various churches who seek our assistance with mentoring
their dance ministries. It is our goal in the next
six-months, to begin to develop those same workshops for
children with physical or mental challenges. We are also
preparing to render those workshops in local nursing home
facilities, which will allow their residents the opportunity
to learn interpretive dance!
M.O.M.’s vision is to
continue to afford our youth with positive opportunities
that may not be available to them due to their economic
situations. It is our goal to develop more positive
character building and self-esteem workshops.
Sincerely,
Janet Greenlee
Executive Director
618-580-2006
or 1-888-409-9970
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