Steven Melendez, who joined the New York Theatre Ballet as a child experiencing homelessness, steps into the role of Artistic Director.
An estimated 1.6 million children are facing homelessness in the United States. Thankfully, organizations across the country are working to look after those children by offering free after-school programs to keep kids active, healthy, and safe during those crucial hours after school.
Steven Melendez came to Diana Byer, the Artistic Director of the New York Theatre Ballet, as a 7-year-old boy living in a shelter. Thirty years later, in a full-circle moment, Melendez is taking over Byer’s role. “Now, back where it all started for me, I see it as my responsibility to contrive the unique set of circumstances that allowed me to succeed for those coming behind me,” Melendez tells Mission in an email interview.
LIFT, New York Theatre Ballet’s (NYTB) community service program, was started by Byer in the 1980s and takes children experiencing homelessness to the ballet stage. With auditions hosted at shelters and other locations each year, LIFT gives 30 talented young children facing economic uncertainty the opportunity to discover dance with the help of scholarships and aid. “Seeing the children flourish, understand how important a strong work ethic is, and recognize
that it matters most how hard they work and not where they come from is my greatest takeaway,” says Byer.
Similarly, the Above the Clouds program offers art-based education classes to children experiencing homelessness in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For over 20 years, Above the Clouds has sought to inspire kids aged 5-17 through the arts and, in doing so, brought them brighter futures.
Promoting health and confidence, the Los Angeles-based Soccer Academy Kids Off The Streets supports children via encouragement, teamwork, and athletics without charging a cent. With over 5,000 children participating, Kids Off The Streets hopes to widen its impact beyond California across the country.
Most after-school programs cost a pretty penny that not everyone can afford; with programs like Children’s Acting Academy in NYC charging $1,400 for 32 classes and Downtown Dance Factory billing almost $1,000 per semester, after-school clubs can seem unattainable for some parents. However, these organizations provide a haven for children despite their financial difficulties. Covering all, or nearly all, of the expenses, these programs endow children with the ability to find new passions, make friends–including those growing up in similar circumstances, which they may not meet in school—and change the course of their lives.
These programs are not about creating the most successful athletes or artists but rather instilling confidence, passion, and a thirst for learning in young people. Melendez is not naive when it comes to the number of dancers who make it big. “To perpetuate that definition of success is to do more harm than good, in my opinion. As a society, I would like to see everyone embrace the mundane. Each of us should do the best we can with what we have; through this process, I tell the young dancers, we can earn self-respect. And often, that is enough,” said Melendez.
Images courtesy of New York City Ballet. Inside image by Richard Termine
