Welcome to the Dance Ability Movement Community Spotlight!
Our incredible team makes our world go round at The Dance Ability Movement and we could not be more grateful. We are
Sandra, Volunteer Coordinator
thrilled to be sharing a series of stories from current volunteers and alumni.
We are excited to highlight Sandra Chen, current Volunteer Coordinator.
Sandra joined DAM in 2017, initially a Volunteer Dance Buddy at June Lawrence School of Dance in Mississauga. This past August, she returned to DAM as the Volunteer Coordinator for Milton and Mississauga.
We asked Sandra about her involvement with DAM. When Sandra first joined DAM as a Dance Buddy, she was getting close to the end of her university education, studying Early Childhood Studies, and didn’t have much experience working with individuals with disabilities. Sandra highlights how much she learned working with Mallory and Jade back in 2017. Being a Dance Buddy provided Sandra with the opportunity to interact with individuals with different needs, and she emphasizes how much the relationships she developed with dancers throughout the season impacted her.
Sandra as a Volunteer at DAM – June Lawrence School of Dance (a warm, welcoming smile!)
“Originally as a Dance Buddy, I observed my relationships grow with my dancers over the duration of the season. To see how excited they were when they saw me in the studio, to connect with their families before and after classes, it truly warmed my heart and signified why I love to be a part of this passionate and caring community.”
Sandra and dancers wearing their Dance Ability T-shirts practicing at the barre
Sandra highlights how working alongside Mallory and Jade in her time as a Dance Buddy showed her so much about the DAM community, and how everyone can be a dancer when provided with the opportunity to celebrate their uniqueness. Later on, Sandra highlights how the feeling of community was immediately rekindled when she reconnected with Mallory and Jade to interview for the Volunteer Coordinator position.
Being with DAM has continued to positively impact Sandra. She highlights how incredible the connections and community have been throughout her involvement.
“Being part of the DAM community has impacted my life in such a positive way. Starting as a volunteer, you show up and dance, be silly and have a good time with the dancers and other volunteers. It’s truly such an awesome way to open your eyes and world to an incredible community. I highly encourage any and everyone to volunteer and get involved!”
We absolutely agree, Sandra – Community means everything to us at DAM! Stay tuned for more stories to come from our wonderful volunteers and alumni!
Interested in sharing your experiences with our community? Please contact us at contact@danceabilitymovement.com
