Everyday, millions of young children leave school and go home to an empty house.
The most vulnerable often end up using alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or committing crimes.
Which is why Prodigy is going mobile to help get even more kids off the street and into cultural arts.
The free programs are funded by the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Last year out of the 3,400 kids, 90 percent stayed out of trouble.
Dance instructor Paulette Rolle-Alesnik relates to the kids she teaches.
“I probably would have been in jail if I didn't have dance to escape to,” admits Rolle-Alesnik.
Using her past, she shows at-risk youth how to be better dancers, but even more so how to become successful in life.
“For anger management, I am asking them to bust a move and step hard, if you have something you need to deal with, crump it out in dance,” said Rolle-Alesnik.
Her six-week after-school class is the first to hit the road in Tampa.
“Had I had those things when I was young taught to me at an early age, I think I would have been further along in life,” said Rolle-Alesnik.
The rolling classroom will have other programs dedicated to the arts too.
“We also have guitar, drums, theatre, creative writing, spoken word,” said Spencer Delbridge.
It gives children a tool to stay out of harm’s way.
“They learn communication skills, problem solving skills, they learn anger management skills. And these are skills they use effectively to not be to deal with those problems on a daily basic but get ahead in the long run,” said Delbridge.
So at the end of the day when the kids can’t remember the choreography, they won’t forget how to face the challenges they have in life.
If you would like to sign up for any of the programs go to http://www.transformingyounglives.org/ or call 1-866-963-7622.
