Supporting youth in Foster Care

Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit Fostering Dreams Project, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

 

My name is Melanie Buttarazzi and I’m the founder of a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization called Fostering Dreams Project, where we use dance and performing arts to transform the lives of Los Angeles' most vulnerable population: youth in foster care.

 

The reality for more than 50% percent of these youth is that they end up homeless or incarcerated. The majority of youth struggle with mental illness and substance abuse derived from the trauma they face, making it all but impossible for children to succeed academically.

 

We work with schools, government agencies, nonprofit and recovery centers to give youth a place to belong with a positive outlet. 

Our dance and mentorship programs offer a pathway to success to ensure foster youth are given the tools and guidance to continue their education and create brighter futures. Each program incorporates dance styles such as Hip Hop, Jazz, Salsa, flamenco, along with movement therapy, self-reflection, and meditative practice to provide youth with a physical and emotional outlet; leadership, team development, and confidence-building skills; career exploration, and self-expression.

 

The most exciting and transformative part of the program is when our youth get to participate in a music-video-style shoot with professional videographers to film what they've been working on and when they get to perform live for an audience! Youth are also given behind-the-scenes experience to know what it's like to work on a set.

 

In the past 2 years, our programs grew from 1 to 25 schools where we used dance to improve the grades, self-esteem, and behavior of over 1000 students. With COVID-19, school budgets have been cut, and as a result teen suicide rates from Foster care have increased over 35%. Our kids need an outlet. They. need to know THEY matter. They need to MOVE and release the stress, anxiety, and depression they battle every day.

 

There is over 36,000 youth in the foster care system in Los Angeles, which is the highest in the nation. That’s 36,000 dreams waiting to be realized. 

$10,000 will provide youth access to an intensive school-year program that includes:
- dance education
- dance instructors
- masterclasses and workshops taught by industry professionals
- dance outfits
- videographer/editor
- an event for a live performance. 

 

I hope you will join me in supporting our young people to show them how much they matter, they belong and they can do anything they put their minds to.

 

Thank you so much!