I first met Lissa Curtis in an Instagram DM in 2017. She had seen me online and wanted to invite me to dance in the Be Brave Gala, an annual event put on by Lissa to raise money for organizations in New Hampshire that support survivors of sexual assault and trauma. I was glad to accept her invitation to perform and to do my part to help such an important cause. When I got to meet Lissa at the event, I was honored to meet a strong, kind, and service-minded woman, and I am so lucky to be her friend to this day.
Lissa and I at Be Brave Gala 2017
The Be Brave Gala became a starting point for Safe Haven Ballet, a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization. Their mission is to provide uplifting ballet performances as well as free trauma sensitive classes for survivors of sexual or domestic violence. They have also raised over $100,00 for assault survivors since 2016.
If Safe Haven Ballet sounds good on paper, that is nothing compared to the good they do in real life. I have had the absolute privilege working with them on several productions, and I have never worked with a more amazing group of people. Lissa and everyone she involves are truly committed to their mission of creating an inclusive and safe environment. There is room for everyone on the stage at Safe Haven, from professional dancers to students to survivors finding their courage to take the stage for the first time.
With Lissa after Don Quixote 2021
Safe Haven Ballet has many opportunities for Small Changes. They offer beginner to advanced ballet and tap classes for children and adults, as well as free trauma sensitive arts classes for survivors. If you are more comfortable watching dance rather than participating, you could go support them at one of their upcoming performances. And of course, you can always donate your Small Change directly on their website.
For more information, visit https://safehavenballet.org/ .
Opmerkingen