It is busy season at BronxWorks! But then again, when is it not? We have some exciting programming and partnerships that started in October and are continuing into the new year. We wanted to share with you our excitement for three amazing partnerships that are bringing swim and dance lessons to the children and families of our communities.
The Misty Copeland Foundation BE BOLD Program
BronxWorks has partnered with the Misty Copeland Foundation BE BOLD Program to bring ballet and dance classes to four of our after-school programs. BE BOLD is a framework of after-school education developed by the Misty Copeland Foundation in collaboration with the National Dance Institute designed to teach basic ballet concepts to students ages 5-12 years old, especially to children of color. The framework connects positive youth development, social emotional learning, movement, music, and culture to make ballet and dance inclusive and accessible to students of different backgrounds.
Starting in October and running for the next twelve weeks, BE BOLD teaching artists will visit four BronxWorks after-school programs at the Betances and Classic Cornerstone Community Centers, the Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center, and South Bronx Prep Academy. Activity space has been outfitted with ballet bars and mirrors, and students receive dancewear and a copy of Misty Copeland’s Black Ballerinas. Classes are held twice a week and will culminate in an Open Class at the end of the semester. BE BOLD teaching artists and musicians are trained performers that are selected by the Misty Copeland Foundation for their devotion to child development through dance and music.
Ursula Cooper-Hunter, Department Director for Children & Youth said of the program:
“I am super excited for the BE BOLD Program. I was a dancer growing up, and I understand how empowering it can be, for our overall wellness, for understanding your body, what it can do, and having the confidence to try things as a young person.”
Aquatics and Swimming
As you may know, BronxWorks recently cut the ribbon on our newly-renovated Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center (CMCC) pool. We could not be more eager to bring back swim lesson and aquatics programs to our communities, so we’ve partnered with Asphalt Green and Physique Swimming to help us get people back in our pool.
Asphalt Green is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds in achieving a healthy lifestyle through a lifetime of sports and fitness. Physique Swimming has a diverse group of instructors that are deeply dedicated to helping our students achieve their goals as swimmers. Asphalt Green will utilize the CMCC pool on school days between 9am to 1pm. They will work with area elementary and middle schools to provide swim classes as a part of their physical education programming. Physique Swimming will provide swim lessons to BronxWorks programs and open-to-the-public swim classes at the BronxWorks CMCC pool. Classes will be held during the afternoons and evenings on weekdays, and mornings and afternoons on Saturdays. Open registration will start in November. Schedule and more information will be found on our website and at the CMCC front desk.
John Weed, Assistant Executive Director said of the partnerships:
“We’re extremely happy to have the pool open again. It’s great to see kids in the pool. By working with Asphalt Green and Physique Swimming, we are succeeding with our commitment to utilize the pool to its full potential and create opportunities for healthy activities in the Bronx.”
To learn about the CMCC Pool schedule, please visit our Aquatics page.
It is busy season at BronxWorks! But then again, when is it not? We have some exciting programming and partnerships that started in October and are continuing into the new year. We wanted to share with you our excitement for three amazing partnerships that are bringing swim and dance lessons to the children and families of our communities.
The Misty Copeland Foundation BE BOLD Program
BronxWorks has partnered with the Misty Copeland Foundation BE BOLD Program to bring ballet and dance classes to four of our after-school programs. BE BOLD is a framework of after-school education developed by the Misty Copeland Foundation in collaboration with the National Dance Institute designed to teach basic ballet concepts to students ages 5-12 years old, especially to children of color. The framework connects positive youth development, social emotional learning, movement, music, and culture to make ballet and dance inclusive and accessible to students of different backgrounds.
Starting in October and running for the next twelve weeks, BE BOLD teaching artists will visit four BronxWorks after-school programs at the Betances and Classic Cornerstone Community Centers, the Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center, and South Bronx Prep Academy. Activity space has been outfitted with ballet bars and mirrors, and students receive dancewear and a copy of Misty Copeland’s Black Ballerinas. Classes are held twice a week and will culminate in an Open Class at the end of the semester. BE BOLD teaching artists and musicians are trained performers that are selected by the Misty Copeland Foundation for their devotion to child development through dance and music.
Ursula Cooper-Hunter, Department Director for Children & Youth said of the program:
“I am super excited for the BE BOLD Program. I was a dancer growing up, and I understand how empowering it can be, for our overall wellness, for understanding your body, what it can do, and having the confidence to try things as a young person.”
Aquatics and Swimming
As you may know, BronxWorks recently cut the ribbon on our newly-renovated Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center (CMCC) pool. We could not be more eager to bring back swim lesson and aquatics programs to our communities, so we’ve partnered with Asphalt Green and Physique Swimming to help us get people back in our pool.
Asphalt Green is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds in achieving a healthy lifestyle through a lifetime of sports and fitness. Physique Swimming has a diverse group of instructors that are deeply dedicated to helping our students achieve their goals as swimmers. Asphalt Green will utilize the CMCC pool on school days between 9am to 1pm. They will work with area elementary and middle schools to provide swim classes as a part of their physical education programming. Physique Swimming will provide swim lessons to BronxWorks programs and open-to-the-public swim classes at the BronxWorks CMCC pool. Classes will be held during the afternoons and evenings on weekdays, and mornings and afternoons on Saturdays. Open registration will start in November. Schedule and more information will be found on our website and at the CMCC front desk.
John Weed, Assistant Executive Director said of the partnerships:
“We’re extremely happy to have the pool open again. It’s great to see kids in the pool. By working with Asphalt Green and Physique Swimming, we are succeeding with our commitment to utilize the pool to its full potential and create opportunities for healthy activities in the Bronx.”
To learn about the CMCC Pool schedule, please visit our Aquatics page.
