"Dance Up" Spring 2011 - The Newsletter of The Wooden Floor

spring 2011

providing Hope and Opportunity Through Dance, Academic and Family Programs

danceup previously known as Saint Joseph Ballet

melanie ríos glaser, executive and artistic director

In the First Person Leticia, Mother of Anthony and Jocelyn If you want me to tell you with my head what The Wooden Floor’s Family Services has done for me, I’d tell you I have taken advantage of all that is offered. With my heart, I’d tell you it has meant everything to me and my children. My children and I faced a family crisis in September of last year, and I felt like I was going to fall apart. I suddenly found myself having to parent my children alone, and we lost our place to live. I was able to have one-on-one counseling, separate from my children, so I could express what I was going through. Teresa Farias, the Family Services Manager even let me stay in communication with her while she was on vacation. We talked every day that she was away.

She gave me concrete steps to follow, such as keeping old family traditions, as well as starting new ones, so my kids felt loved and had stability while our life was changing. She told me to be honest with them, to tell them what was happening, and to let them talk about how it made them feel. Above all, it was important for Anthony and Jocelyn to stay enrolled at The Wooden Floor because this is their family.

There were days where we would be soaking wet, having to catch the bus in the rain, and The Wooden Floor was there for us, finding us rain coats and rain shoes. During Christmas, I didn’t have anything to give my children, and The Wooden Floor fixed that, too. Things are getting better for us, and the first step towards that started here. We couldn’t have gotten through it without this place.

Thursday, April 7 at 6:00pm

Saturday, April 30 at 10:30am

Thursday, June 2– Saturday, June 4

Inside the Studio

Graduates’ Brunch

28th Annual Concert

Observe the world of contemporary dance through the lens of rising choreographer, John Heginbotham who unearths the collaborative magic between our young dancers and the world-class artists of our Annual Concert. Please RSVP to Keegan at 714.541.8314 ext. 140.

Join the Neighbors support group for one of our most heartwarming events of the year. Show the Class of 2011 that their community is behind them as they begin their journeys to college. Please RSVP to Susie at 714.541.8314 ext. 115.

Immerse yourself in groundbreaking contemporary dance with performances featuring 144 evocative and moving young dancers.

Tickets are available at www.TheBarclay.org starting March 28.

Complete information on events featuring the students of The Wooden Floor is available online at www.TheWoodenFloor.org

letter from Melanie Ríos Glaser Whatever it takes

Supporter Spotlight

The Wooden Floor is known for its extraordinary success in helping underserved youth graduate high school on time and enroll in college. Our trademark for professional and adventuresome artistic work has garnered us awards.

What you may not know is how much we do to make sure these young artists and their families succeed.

Our staff carries their dedication to our families beyond the call of duty. Recently we responded to a single mom in despair; her car had broken down and she needed to get to a cleaning job to be able to put

food on the table that day for her three daughters.

We appealed to one of our supporters, negotiated with the mechanic, and got her car fixed. Another mom was able to land a new job after we helped her get her license as a beautician. We are behind another two families as they navigate through the process of leaving abusive households and entering into shelters. Recently a staff member woke up before dawn to drive a senior student to an audition for UCLA and our Marketing Director brought in her unused clothes for a family who lost everything. The

Family Services Manager accompanied an apprehensive mother to get an MRI. We keep a “TLC List”— (Tender, Loving, Care) where we track the students that need a little more attention from us because at home, in school, or in their neighborhood things might be tough right now. We put some padding around them so that they can go back out there a little more protected. All this, in addition to our counseling sessions and our wellness workshops, are part of a week at The Wooden Floor.

Yes, we have proven that the long term immersion

in the artistic process through dance is a means to break the cycle of poverty. But if it also takes fixing a car, referring them to a shelter, or providing food through our contacts, we’ll do that too. We’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that they can grow up with us in safety. Thank you to all of you who help us do this through your support of the mission of The Wooden Floor.

the wooden floor news feed February 26

An Alumni Mixer will take place at The Wooden Floor to rekindle old memories and create new connections.

January 21

7th and 8th graders at The Wooden Floor attended the High School and Beyond Workshop to begin their college planning as well as work on time management and study skills in preparation for high school.

28th Annual Concert Dave Stauffer “The Wooden Floor is one big family,” says Dave Stauffer, in referring to what keeps him so passionately involved with the organization. He was introduced to the nonprofit by his mother, Alice, and “the rest was history,” he says, “I was hooked.” He joined the Board of Directors for six years in 1997, and since 2003, he has stayed involved through the Finance and Endowment Committees. Dave’s signature warmth and caring come through when he is asked which accomplishments of The Wooden Floor give him the most pride. “I think The Wooden Floor provides a wonderful environment to deliver great programs to youth in our community. And equally important, I believe the organization is very well run financially. The money for its programs is raised a year in advance. In a small way, I feel I helped with both of these things.

I am proud of that.” Dave is also proud to be a generous and loving Dance Partner to students of The Wooden Floor, which he says allows him to stay connected to the outcomes of the mission.

“Instead of just being on the outside looking in, you are in the inside too. You get to have personal contact with one or more of the children that attend The Wooden Floor. They tell you what the programs mean in their lives.

It helps me understand what it is we do and how we are delivering.”

Dave’s hopes for the future of the organization include keeping the feeling of “one big family” by continuing to serve children for years into the future. His supportive nature peeks through again when he quickly adds, “I also hope in years to come that some of our graduates return to The Wooden Floor to sit on its Board of Directors and share the wisdom of their experiences with the organization.”

The Wooden Floor is grateful to Dave Stauffer, and all of our Dance Partners for the one-on-one encouragement and support they provide to our young artists. To learn how you can become a Dance Partner, contact Ellen at 714.541.8314 ext. 124 2 The Wooden Floor | spring 2011

January 24

Ask choreographer Susan Rethorst what she finds fascinating about dance and she’ll tell you that she loves to observe how her ideas are taken and accepted by different demographics and cultures. A world traveling artist, Susan has performed and fashioned works from Ireland to Jerusalem, and most recently in Cairo, Egypt. “I love to see what is considered odd or interesting in regards to dance in different areas of the globe,” she says.

For many, managing personal finances can be a daunting task – especially when you are among the 300,000 Orange County residents living below the poverty line. The majority of our families can relate. Consider a typical family of five at The Wooden Floor where one or both parents often works two jobs earning just $29,130 or even less. Basic needs are not met, health suffers, and the sense of stability in the home all but disappears.

The Wooden Floor’s Annual Concert, happening June 2–4 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, is known not only for pushing the boundaries of the contemporary dance world, but also as a place where cross-cultural ideas and differences can be deconstructed and then reassembled into breathtaking works of art. Susan says the road through her artistic process is unpaved.

“Making is thinking,” she says, “I get into a conversation with what I am making and then see where it arrives.”

The Wooden Floor’s newly launched Financial Literacy Program, funded in part by The Boeing Company in collaboration with Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Orange County, was established to address the growing need for families of The Wooden Floor to budget, manage, and maximize their resources to solve the financial problems they face daily. The three workshops in this series include:

Be a part of this unforgettable experience by joining us as a 2011 Annual Concert Sponsor.

Concert Sponsors receive: Complimentary tickets to the performances Tickets to an opening night Backstage Reception with the dancers and choreographers T Recognition in: concert program, signage at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, quarterly newsletter, and online.

T Plus more!

T T

Concert Sponsorship levels range from $2,500 to $25,000 For more information on Concert Sponsorships, please contact Ellen at 714.541.8314 ext. 124 or Ellen@TheWoodenFloor.org.

January 19

7th and 8th grade students began a fourweek IMAGINE workshop where they will improve their decision-making and problem-solving skills to help them shape their future.

January 18

Balancing Personal Finances: How to Create a Budget T Understanding Credit Reports and Scores: How to Establish Good Credit and Eliminate Errors T Surviving Unemployment: How to Reduce Expenses, Manage Financial Concerns, and Find New Resources T

Working with young dancers is something new to Susan, but after seeing The Wooden Floor’s past work she found it a “fascinating” place to create something new. 28 young dancers have been given the chance to collaborate with her on a yet untitled piece for the Annual Concert.

The Wooden Floor’s newest students participated in one of their first rites of passage as they finished their first semester and were provided with their very own set of free dancewear.

Established choreographer, and the 2010 recipient of the prestigious Alpert Award in Dance, Susan Rethorst, began the first two weeks of her many residencies in preparation for our 28th Annual Concert.

January 5

144 dancers were cast to perform in our 28th Annual Concert, June 2-4, which will include two newly commissioned works by celebrated choreographers Susan Rethorst and John Heginbotham.

The road to success originates in a stable home environment. Only when our families manage the economic obstacles placed on them can the child’s opportunity to thrive and grow come to fruition.

Building Their Future

October 6, 2011 Save the Date for Keep the Promise The Wooden Floor’s 5th Annual Wine Tasting Benefit

I love this event, not just because it combines charity and the arts…but because you’re guaranteed to try every wine on the list along with a catered feast of nibbles paired to match them perfectly.”

- Anne Valdespino, Orange Coast Magazine

Family Services by the Numbers In addition to the progressive art-making that takes place in our

studios and our comprehensive academic programs, The Wooden Floor boasts an expanding Family Services program to meet the needs of our families.

132 Number of crisis interventions that were completed last year, which helped families meet immediate needs such as receiving food donations, finding employment, and receiving medical, legal, housing, and other social services

131 Number of counseling sessions that were conducted last year for our students and families

36 Number of juniors and seniors who will attend the Life Skills/ Academic Transitions Workshop, which will result in the creation of an actionable plan for each student to finance their goal of attending college

10 Number of new life-fulfilling careers that will be introduced to our students at two Career Nights

40

9 in 10 Number of our families designated by Housing and Urban Development as low, very low, and extremely low-income

Number of campers who will attend summer camps tuitionfree, allowing many of them to be in nature for the very first time in their lives www.TheWoodenFloor.org 3

letter from Melanie Ríos Glaser Whatever it takes

Supporter Spotlight

The Wooden Floor is known for its extraordinary success in helping underserved youth graduate high school on time and enroll in college. Our trademark for professional and adventuresome artistic work has garnered us awards.

What you may not know is how much we do to make sure these young artists and their families succeed.

Our staff carries their dedication to our families beyond the call of duty. Recently we responded to a single mom in despair; her car had broken down and she needed to get to a cleaning job to be able to put

food on the table that day for her three daughters.

We appealed to one of our supporters, negotiated with the mechanic, and got her car fixed. Another mom was able to land a new job after we helped her get her license as a beautician. We are behind another two families as they navigate through the process of leaving abusive households and entering into shelters. Recently a staff member woke up before dawn to drive a senior student to an audition for UCLA and our Marketing Director brought in her unused clothes for a family who lost everything. The

Family Services Manager accompanied an apprehensive mother to get an MRI. We keep a “TLC List”— (Tender, Loving, Care) where we track the students that need a little more attention from us because at home, in school, or in their neighborhood things might be tough right now. We put some padding around them so that they can go back out there a little more protected. All this, in addition to our counseling sessions and our wellness workshops, are part of a week at The Wooden Floor.

Yes, we have proven that the long term immersion

in the artistic process through dance is a means to break the cycle of poverty. But if it also takes fixing a car, referring them to a shelter, or providing food through our contacts, we’ll do that too. We’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that they can grow up with us in safety. Thank you to all of you who help us do this through your support of the mission of The Wooden Floor.

the wooden floor news feed February 26

An Alumni Mixer will take place at The Wooden Floor to rekindle old memories and create new connections.

January 21

7th and 8th graders at The Wooden Floor attended the High School and Beyond Workshop to begin their college planning as well as work on time management and study skills in preparation for high school.

28th Annual Concert Dave Stauffer “The Wooden Floor is one big family,” says Dave Stauffer, in referring to what keeps him so passionately involved with the organization. He was introduced to the nonprofit by his mother, Alice, and “the rest was history,” he says, “I was hooked.” He joined the Board of Directors for six years in 1997, and since 2003, he has stayed involved through the Finance and Endowment Committees. Dave’s signature warmth and caring come through when he is asked which accomplishments of The Wooden Floor give him the most pride. “I think The Wooden Floor provides a wonderful environment to deliver great programs to youth in our community. And equally important, I believe the organization is very well run financially. The money for its programs is raised a year in advance. In a small way, I feel I helped with both of these things.

I am proud of that.” Dave is also proud to be a generous and loving Dance Partner to students of The Wooden Floor, which he says allows him to stay connected to the outcomes of the mission.

“Instead of just being on the outside looking in, you are in the inside too. You get to have personal contact with one or more of the children that attend The Wooden Floor. They tell you what the programs mean in their lives.

It helps me understand what it is we do and how we are delivering.”

Dave’s hopes for the future of the organization include keeping the feeling of “one big family” by continuing to serve children for years into the future. His supportive nature peeks through again when he quickly adds, “I also hope in years to come that some of our graduates return to The Wooden Floor to sit on its Board of Directors and share the wisdom of their experiences with the organization.”

The Wooden Floor is grateful to Dave Stauffer, and all of our Dance Partners for the one-on-one encouragement and support they provide to our young artists. To learn how you can become a Dance Partner, contact Ellen at 714.541.8314 ext. 124 2 The Wooden Floor | spring 2011

January 24

Ask choreographer Susan Rethorst what she finds fascinating about dance and she’ll tell you that she loves to observe how her ideas are taken and accepted by different demographics and cultures. A world traveling artist, Susan has performed and fashioned works from Ireland to Jerusalem, and most recently in Cairo, Egypt. “I love to see what is considered odd or interesting in regards to dance in different areas of the globe,” she says.

For many, managing personal finances can be a daunting task – especially when you are among the 300,000 Orange County residents living below the poverty line. The majority of our families can relate. Consider a typical family of five at The Wooden Floor where one or both parents often works two jobs earning just $29,130 or even less. Basic needs are not met, health suffers, and the sense of stability in the home all but disappears.

The Wooden Floor’s Annual Concert, happening June 2–4 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, is known not only for pushing the boundaries of the contemporary dance world, but also as a place where cross-cultural ideas and differences can be deconstructed and then reassembled into breathtaking works of art. Susan says the road through her artistic process is unpaved.

“Making is thinking,” she says, “I get into a conversation with what I am making and then see where it arrives.”

The Wooden Floor’s newly launched Financial Literacy Program, funded in part by The Boeing Company in collaboration with Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Orange County, was established to address the growing need for families of The Wooden Floor to budget, manage, and maximize their resources to solve the financial problems they face daily. The three workshops in this series include:

Be a part of this unforgettable experience by joining us as a 2011 Annual Concert Sponsor.

Concert Sponsors receive: Complimentary tickets to the performances Tickets to an opening night Backstage Reception with the dancers and choreographers T Recognition in: concert program, signage at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, quarterly newsletter, and online.

T Plus more!

T T

Concert Sponsorship levels range from $2,500 to $25,000 For more information on Concert Sponsorships, please contact Ellen at 714.541.8314 ext. 124 or Ellen@TheWoodenFloor.org.

January 19

7th and 8th grade students began a fourweek IMAGINE workshop where they will improve their decision-making and problem-solving skills to help them shape their future.

January 18

Balancing Personal Finances: How to Create a Budget T Understanding Credit Reports and Scores: How to Establish Good Credit and Eliminate Errors T Surviving Unemployment: How to Reduce Expenses, Manage Financial Concerns, and Find New Resources T

Working with young dancers is something new to Susan, but after seeing The Wooden Floor’s past work she found it a “fascinating” place to create something new. 28 young dancers have been given the chance to collaborate with her on a yet untitled piece for the Annual Concert.

The Wooden Floor’s newest students participated in one of their first rites of passage as they finished their first semester and were provided with their very own set of free dancewear.

Established choreographer, and the 2010 recipient of the prestigious Alpert Award in Dance, Susan Rethorst, began the first two weeks of her many residencies in preparation for our 28th Annual Concert.

January 5

144 dancers were cast to perform in our 28th Annual Concert, June 2-4, which will include two newly commissioned works by celebrated choreographers Susan Rethorst and John Heginbotham.

The road to success originates in a stable home environment. Only when our families manage the economic obstacles placed on them can the child’s opportunity to thrive and grow come to fruition.

Building Their Future

October 6, 2011 Save the Date for Keep the Promise The Wooden Floor’s 5th Annual Wine Tasting Benefit

I love this event, not just because it combines charity and the arts…but because you’re guaranteed to try every wine on the list along with a catered feast of nibbles paired to match them perfectly.”

- Anne Valdespino, Orange Coast Magazine

Family Services by the Numbers In addition to the progressive art-making that takes place in our

studios and our comprehensive academic programs, The Wooden Floor boasts an expanding Family Services program to meet the needs of our families.

132 Number of crisis interventions that were completed last year, which helped families meet immediate needs such as receiving food donations, finding employment, and receiving medical, legal, housing, and other social services

131 Number of counseling sessions that were conducted last year for our students and families

36 Number of juniors and seniors who will attend the Life Skills/ Academic Transitions Workshop, which will result in the creation of an actionable plan for each student to finance their goal of attending college

10 Number of new life-fulfilling careers that will be introduced to our students at two Career Nights

40

9 in 10 Number of our families designated by Housing and Urban Development as low, very low, and extremely low-income

Number of campers who will attend summer camps tuitionfree, allowing many of them to be in nature for the very first time in their lives www.TheWoodenFloor.org 3

Non Profit Org. US Postage

previously known as Saint Joseph Ballet

PAID

Orange, CA Permit No. 356

1810 N. Main St. Santa Ana, CA 92706 714.541.8314 www.TheWoodenFloor.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

The Wooden Floor Board of Directors 2010-2011 Damien Jordan, Chair Senior Vice President, General Manager, The American Funds Service Company Jim Slaughter, Vice Chair Attorney at Law, Slaughter & Slaughter, LLP Frank Foster, Secretary Principal, Residential Strategies, LLC Richard C. Hunsaker, Treasurer President, Hunsaker Management Glennda Adair Wellness Retreat Weekends / Cordelia Knott Foundation Joan Beall Community Leader Catherine Chase Senior Vice President, Credit Suisse Private Bank Arlene Craig President, The Betty L. Hutton Title Holding Co. Vice President, The Hutton Foundation Jim Driscoll Community Leader Melanie Ríos Glaser Executive & Artistic Director, The Wooden Floor Frank Hall Vice President Resource Development, Ret. St. Joseph Health System Sharon Hartshorn Community Leader Virginia Hunsaker Community Leader Yvonne M. Jordan Community Leader Juan Laguna, Parent Representative Attorney at Law Catherine MacIver Senior Vice President, Bank of America Insurance Services Group Danny Melita Community Leader Donald McKayle Professor Emeritus, University of California, Irvine Yvonne R. O’Neill Certified Public Accountant, O’Neill Financial Management Cyrus Parker–Jeannette Interim Associate Dean of the College of the Arts, California State University, Long Beach Samuel Ruiz, Parent Representative Machine Maintenance Manager, ERAN Engineering Kristy Santimyer-Melita Community Leader Larry Stofko Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer, St. Joseph Health System Fernando Vivanco Director of International Communications, Boeing IDS Support Systems Susan Whittaker Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, St. Joseph Health System Barbara Yingling Community Leader William Yingling III Community Leader Beth Burns, Board Emerita Founder of The Wooden Floor and Artistic Director (’83-’05) Ernesto Vasquez, Board Emeritus AIA, Founding Partner, McLarand Vasquez Emsiek & Partners Socorro Vasquez, Board Emerita Community Leader

4 The Wooden Floor | spring 2011

Photography by: Kevin P. Casey and Johnny Hernandez The Wooden Floor thanks Pickle Group for graciously underwriting a portion of the cost of this newsletter.

Become a Neighbor “When I was just getting to know The Wooden Floor, the Neighbors support group seemed like a fun and flexible entree into involvement. Members can do as much or as little as they feel comfortable with, which is especially attractive to those of us with kids. I loved being able to volunteer backstage at the concert when my son was young, and then as his activities made that more difficult, I could still feel like I was contributing by providing snacks for the dancers or books for The Wooden Floor’s Hutton Education Center. I’ve met such wonderful people through Neighbors and I think the group connects us to the students, and to each other, in a way that goes beyond writing a check. In fact, when we call Neighbors a giving group, I think of it as a group that gives from the heart, everything from hugs to granola bars - it is so rewarding!” –Edie Barvin, Neighbor since 1996 JOIN NEIGHBORS AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Neighbors serve as a foundation to inspire our young people to pursue their goals and break the cycle of poverty through education, so student success is based on talent and determination, rather than socio-economic boundaries. Engagement from Neighbors lets our students know they are cared about and supported by their community. This helps instill the confidence necessary to pursue their goals. We invite you to help underserved youth chart a new course for their lives.

Levels of Support:

Associate: $125

Friend: $250

Partner: $500

Patron: $1,000 & above

To become a Neighbor, please send your gift in the enclosed envelope, or contact Susie for more information, at 714.541.8314 ext. 115 or Susie@TheWoodenFloor.org.

Thank you to the corporate sponsors that have come forward this spring to support students of The Wooden Floor.