Miss Teen California International 2010, Dedria Brunett, talks to local foster children about making their dreams come true at the Ventura County Ballet Company’s “A Day at the Ballet” event on Aug. 21. Photo courtesy of Ventura County Ballet Company.
Imagine being removed from your home and the care of your family only to leave behind everything you have ever known. For no fault of their own, thousands of children are removed from their homes and placed into foster care each year.
The Ventura County Ballet Company (VCBC) has created the Therapeutic Dance program, designed to share the joy of ballet with children in the foster care system and provide them with free dance lessons and an outlet for creative expression.
On Aug. 21, at their 2nd annual “A Day at the Ballet,” the VCBC opened its doors to children in Ventura County foster care programs, offering them a fun-filled day of dance, crafts and treasured memories.
“These children often come into our dance studio withdrawn and physically conveying the abuse they’ve endured,” Eileen Riddle, president of the VCBC board of directors, stated in a media release. “By the end of our day together, we see a transformation in the children and watch as they fearlessly embrace a new experience. It was a magical day for everyone.”
The Day at the Ballet event included a guest visit from Miss Teen California International 2010, Dedria Brunett, who read the children a story and listened as they shared their hopes and dreams. Brunett, who grew up in the Ventura County foster care system, feels an undeniable bond with these children who have experienced similar struggles.
“After the performance, I told the kids about how much we all have in common,” said Brunett. “I shared with them how my dream of becoming a princess came true because I believed in myself. I let them know that I am proud of them and believe that they can do anything as long as they also believe in themselves.”
Brunett, who will enter the Miss California contest in September, uses pageants as a platform to promote her organization, Luggage of Love, which provides children in shelters and foster care a brand new piece of luggage to hold their items as they transition between homes. To learn more about Luggage of Love, visit www.luggageoflove.org
A Day at the Ballet event was made possible by a special grant from Marion Witte’s The Angel Heart Foundation.
Each foster child in attendance received free tickets to the VCBC’s upcoming performances of the Nutcracker, November 19 and 20. For more information about the VCBC and their productions, visit www.venturacountyballet.com
The Ventura County Ballet Company and Ballet Academy Ventura?Celebrating its 18th year, the Ventura County Ballet Company presents two to three large scale productions each year. The productions feature professional dancers as well as VCBC pre-professionals, students from Ballet Academy Ventura, the official school of the VCBC.
Kathleen Noblin, a recipient of the City of Ventura 2008 Mayor’s Arts Award, founded Ballet Academy Ventura, as the official in-residence school of the Ventura County Ballet Company in 1992. She has served as executive director of the company since its inception. Students are taught creative movement as early as 2 to 3½ years and pre-ballet to the age of six. A complete and graduated ballet program, beginning through pre-professional, including adults is taught. Other classes include flamenco and Hip Hop for 5-12 year olds.
For more information, or to sponsor an upcoming ballet or educational program, call (805) 648-2080 or visit www.venturacountyballet.com
About Angel Heart Foundation
Every day the lives of millions of boys and girls are changed forever by the devastation of abuse, neglect and exploitation. It is our intention to raise the level of consciousness about the state of affairs of children in the world, through awareness and involvement, youth empowerment and family strengthening.
We operate as a gateway organization, gathering and providing information about the resources and tools that are available to anyone who wants to “Become an Ordinary Hero” as we work to create a safe and just world for all children.
About Dedria Brunett and The Luggage of Love
Dedria Brunett, Miss Teen California International 2010, started the nonprofit “Luggage of Love” in June of 2008. The organization raises funds to provide children living in foster and shelter care with a new unused piece of luggage to carry their belongings in. To date, Luggage of Love has raised over $26,750 and has placed over 2,300 pieces of luggage within the state of California. http://missteencaliforniaintl2010.blogspot.com/
Miss Teen California International is a part of the International Pageant System that is based upon young ladies becoming positive role models within their communities.
A child draws and participates during “A Day at the Ballet” on Aug. 21. Photo courtesy of the Ventura County Ballet.