Open Arms Dance Project: Inclusion Creates Compassion
By living in a community with a vibrant culture, we are able to be the kind of place that lifts up those around us. Having a strong, vibrant arts community makes Boise a better place for everyone to live, work and give.
The Pettitt Group real estate team supports art in all forms. We believe that art creates community, which is why each month we choose a local non-profit organization to support.
We are excited to announce our support for Open Arms Dance Project in July 2018. We will give $100 per transaction to the Open Arms Dance Project this month, or a minimum of $1,000 (whichever is greater).
“by moving alongside people who look or sound or move differently… we ultimately move towards greater compassion.”
Open Arms Dance Project is a dance company with a goal of sharing the art of dance with everyone, no matter their ability or age. Everyone is welcome in their studio, as everyone is able to contribute something valuable to the group. This group believes that understanding and compassion can be better achieved as a community when we are able to connect together, leaving behind our own personal hardships.
What’s in it for them?
In the beginning of the program, the founding Artistic Director Megan Brandel, kept receiving this question over and over again. The questioning of what was in it for the able bodied dancers in the community, what would they get out of dancing with persons with mental and physical disabilities? Just the idea that anyone in our community felt the need to ask this question, proved to Brandel why an inclusive organization was needed.
This reoccurring thought throughout the community, that able bodied dancers have nothing to learn from disabled individuals, is what drives the founder of the project. Open Arms Dance Project aims to answer this question by showing our community that by putting aside our own problems and taking time to connect with others different than ourselves, we will be able to create a more compassionate world.
It’s your turn to shine
This short video produced by Open Arms in 2015 does an amazing job of explaining the impact on the participants and the community. Through interviews with participants, the positive impact this group is captured.
To learn more about Open Arms Dance Project, be sure to check out their website and social media (facebook) for more information!
Open Arms Dance Project | openarmsdanceproject@gmail.com | openarmsdance.org
We are excited to continue to grow and serve and LOVE where we live! Learn more about our Community Giving program and see all the 2018 non profit organizations here.
Posted by Andrea Pettitt on
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