Year 1 - The Side Street Kid Experience
The Side Street Kids: More Than Dance. That is exactly what this organization is all about. The Side Street Kids touch the heart of children and of those people involved with them. It is an organization that is concerned with giving back to children and the community. This is what makes it so unique and special.

My experience with the Side Street Kids has been enlightening. It has opened up new doors and opportunities for me as well as other kids. I have been able to expand myself in other areas of life. They have allowed me to grow more maturely and see things in a different perspective. They provide that important space needed for growth. I believe the kids have had an impact on the instructors' lives as well as the whole team.

The Side Street experience begins with dance foundations. We, as a team, learn and coordinate dance moves that are new to us.

We gain confidence in our dancing as well as in ourselves. We make friends and gain experiences that will hopefully last a lifetime. As an organization we take place in many events throughout the year. Some of them are the Opening of the Academy, Yankee Day, Halloween Day, the 60's Bash, the Christmas party, the Black & White Ball, the Puerto Rican Day Parade, and our annual recital.

These events unite us as a team and shows all our effort, work, and dedication. We work together to reach our goals and to nurture each other's needs.

Many opportunities are offered to us as part of the SSK. These opportunities pave a way for our future. Some of the girls were able to dance in City Hall, our functions, Wild Palm, the University of New Haven, the Congreso Mundial de la Salsa, Italy, and the Tito Puente Scholarship Dance. The kids were also given the chance to work in the dance Academy for the summer.

Ten girls, including me, are working for the Summer Youth Employment Program in the Side Street Kids Dance Academy this summer. This opening is helping us gain experience in the job field. It gives us a better sense of responsibility and it prepares us for the real world.

Hopefully, next year will be an even better year than this one. We already have many things planned such as fundraisers, the Christmas party, the Black & White Ball, Picture Day, the Puerto Rican Day Parade, the recital, and our annual picnic. God willing, next year our organization will grow and be blessed by his wonderful, merciful hand.