For many people, home is more than four walls. It is a place where you feel welcomed, supported, and connected to the people around you. For 25 years, A Leap Above Dance (ALAD) has created that sense of belonging for dancers across the community, building a studio that many consider their second home.
This year, ALAD found a meaningful way to extend that feeling of connection beyond the dance studio by partnering with The Road Home during their annual recital.
“Dance is beautiful in the way that it creates community through connection,” shared the team at A Leap Above Dance.
For years, ALAD’s recital has been a celebration of the dancers, families, and community members who make the studio special. Each year, they take time to recognize how fortunate they are to have a community that supports their dancers and allows them to do what they love.
At the same time, they know that not every family has the same access to stability, resources, or a place to call home. That understanding inspired ALAD to use their annual recital as an opportunity to support a local organization through a donation drive.
To celebrate the studio’s 25th anniversary, this year’s recital was named “Coming Home,” reflecting what ALAD has become for so many dancers: a place of comfort, connection, and belonging. The milestone celebration welcomed back alumni and honored the many people who have helped create the community that exists within the studio today.
Choosing The Road Home
When selecting an organization to support, ALAD knew they wanted to partner with a group that shared their belief in the power of community.
“The Road Home was the perfect organization to support at our recital this year,” ALAD shared. “We love that they are not only helping families find stable housing, but that they are also committed to helping them hold on to that stability by offering essential items, resources, and making impactful connections.”
Through their partnership with The Road Home, ALAD recognized that having a home is about more than having a place to stay. Families need the resources, relationships, and support systems that help them build lasting stability.
Dancers Helping Families Feel at Home
During their recital performances, ALAD invited dancers and families to participate in a donation drive supporting families experiencing homelessness. Donation boxes were placed at the theater entrance, allowing community members to contribute essential household items that help families as they move into stable housing.
Behind the scenes, dancers of all ages also found ways to give back by creating blankets backstage during the shows.
While dancers took the stage to perform, they were also helping create moments of comfort and care for families in their community.
“While our dancers were taking the stage, we hoped that by collecting household essentials, we could make a small difference in helping The Road Home ‘set the stage’ for a brighter future for families in need,” ALAD shared.
A Community That Welcomes Everyone Home
The partnership between A Leap Above Dance and The Road Home is a reminder that community support can take many forms. Whether through a donation, a kind gesture, or a commitment to helping neighbors, each action helps families feel seen and supported.
Together, ALAD dancers, families, and supporters helped create a little more connection, comfort, and belonging for families on their journey toward stability.
Because everyone deserves a place where they feel welcomed home.