Culture Shock Las Vegas (CSLV) held their annual Back-to-School Jam featuring dance classes and free school supplies.
DEA Educational Foundation Celebrates Success at West Coast Back-to-School Events
In early August of 2024, the DEA Educational Foundation (DEAEF) proudly participated in two impactful “Back-to-School” events on the West Coast, reinforcing our commitment to community engagement and youth empowerment through dance and education.
Las Vegas: Back-to-School Jam with Culture Shock Las Vegas
In Las Vegas, the DEAEF continued its tradition of support for Culture Shock Las Vegas (CSLV) at their annual Back-to-School Jam. Held on Saturday, August 10, from 12:30 PM to 4:45 PM at the CSLV dance studio, the event was a resounding success.
The Back-to-School Jam featured an exciting array of dance classes for all skill levels, including beginner, intermediate, and advanced sessions focusing primarily on hip-hop. Multiple dance instructors from CSLV led these classes, engaging attendees and distributing free school supplies. The event also featured a special presentation by DEA Las Vegas who spoke about DEA’s mission and encouraged students to make positive choices as they prepared to return to school.
Throughout the following week, the CSLV dance studio remained bustling with activity as kids participated in free classes covering hip-hop, street dance, breaking, acrobatics, and popping. The week-long series of classes, open to the public with preregistration, saw enthusiastic participation from a dedicated group of young dancers aged 5-18 years.
“The Back to School Jam is an annual event hosted by Culture Shock Las Vegas to support and inspire our community’s youth as they embark on a new school year. By providing an engaging environment, we aim to build confidence, encourage creativity, and promote a sense of belonging, helping students start the academic year with enthusiasm and motivation. Partnering with the (DEAEF) enhances our impact, as their commitment to empowering youth through education and community engagement aligns perfectly with our mission. Together, we offer valuable resources and reinforce the values of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, making a lasting difference in the lives of the students we serve.”
Los Angeles: Back-to-School Event with Richstone Family Center
In Los Angeles, as part of DEA Los Angeles’ Operation Engage, DEAEF proudly partnered with the Richstone Family Center’s annual Back-to-School event on Saturday, August 10, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Hosted at the Richstone Family Center in Hawthorne, a suburb of LA, the event catered to low-income, high-need families.
A major highlight of the day was the engaging mini dance workshops led by Culture Shock Los Angeles (CSLA), a long-time dance partner of DEAEF. These workshops featured a variety of dance styles energizing the attendees and providing a dynamic, interactive experience. The workshops not only entertained but also encouraged creativity and self-expression among the participants.
The event also featured the distribution of backpacks filled with school supplies to approximately 200 children. Attendees enjoyed a festive atmosphere with free lunches, snacks, crafts, and games. DEAEF was excited to support this vibrant community gathering for the first time, joining Richstone’s ongoing efforts to serve local families.
A notable addition to the event was the DEA’s Drugs and You: Use Your Head drug prevention exhibit. This interactive exhibit, designed as a graphic novel with QR codes linking to informative videos and games, aimed to foster healthy choices and positive dreams for the future.
Reflecting on a Successful Weekend
The weekend’s events were a testament to DEAEF’s ongoing commitment to supporting youth through community partnerships and engaging activities, as well as DEA’s commitment to outreach and education. By collaborating with CSLV, Richstone Family Center and DEA, the DEAEF helped provide meaningful experiences that encouraged young people to pursue their passions and make positive choices.
We are thrilled with the success of these events and look forward to continuing our efforts to enrich the lives of young people across the country.
Updated Sep 18, 2024
YDP, Partnerships