Double Your Impact Vianese Dance Academy Student
Hello!

We are living in a hopeful time. The number of COVID cases in Illinois are the lowest they have ever been since the beginning of the pandemic.(1) Businesses and institutions continue to reopen, and more people have begun gathering to enjoy events and reconnect with each other.

Even so, the effects of the pandemic on students and their mental health may be felt for years to come.(2) Providing a safe space for students to learn and express themselves is especially important, now more than ever.

Now is the time to give and support enrichment programming for students this summer. Thanks to a generous offer by the Greer Foundation, your gift today will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000.

This means your gift will go twice as far to make an impact.
Time is of the essence. Please donate by Wednesday, June 30 so that your gift will be matched, doubling your impact and making a difference for students like Vianese and her mom, Cindy.
Vianese Dance Academy
Cindy is a single parent, and funds are tight. When she was looking for a fun and safe activity for her daughter, free classes through the Chicago Lights Dance Academy were a perfect fit.

“I wouldn’t have been able to afford a big dance class, and it’s a really nice opportunity for kids to be able to experience these things,” Cindy says.

In January of 2020, third grader Vianese enrolled and attended just a few classes in person before the pandemic forced the city to shut down. Dance classes shifted to the virtual space, and Vianese continued to gain confidence and express herself creatively every Saturday morning.
“I like to learn new things,” Vianese says. “I had never been to a dance class, so this was new for me, learning ballet and tap. I just really like to dance. It makes me feel good.”

Last Saturday, Vianese performed a virtual recital with fellow Dance Academy students, marking the end of the 2020-2021 year.

“I’m really glad Chicago Lights continued to do the program on Saturdays because it was one of the only forms of exercise Vianese was getting,” Cindy says. “I love the program, and I really hope it continues.”

The Chicago Lights Dance Academy’s Summer Dance Intensive kicks off on July 6 with four weeks of hybrid dance classes--virtual and in person--fostering students’ growth and self-confidence.

Thank you for helping make this a meaningful summer for Chicago Lights students!
Sincerely,
Stacy Jackson Headshot
Stacy Jackson
Black lives matter to Chicago Lights. We are working to ensure that Chicago Lights is not only not racist, but that we are decidedly anti-racist.
Chicago Lights builds brighter futures for Chicago’s youth and adults through supportive relationships and life-changing programs.

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