The DMF Youth after-school program blends a motivational dance workout with a life skills development curriculum. Our goal is to empower kids and teens by building self-esteem, confidence, and self-worth and nurture health in all aspects of their lives. Each week, we discuss and use dance and exercises to delve into topics like cooperation, attitude, team work, leadership, positive self-talk, self
-control, body-image, nutrition, and standing up to peer pressure. Social and emotional learning is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Everywhere young kids turn, there is pressure to be cool and fit in. DMF YOUTH helps participants shed insecurities and the need to “be” like everyone else and encourages them to tap into their own unique talents, power and potential.