The Ripple Effect - Coming Full Circle

There is nothing more gratifying than seeing the ripple effect that leadership can create, especially when it is with your students. Our Taking Shape STAR leadership program is in full force!

We are in the second year of existence with over 25 studios, clubs and organizations
throughout the United States, Canada, Haiti and even Aruba who are affiliate members
using the Taking Shape STAR leadership curriculum. Our mission continues to create a
young generation of leaders who impact others through strong character values and
community service.

This season, two of our Richmond area STAR leaders, Malori Chrisman and Isabella
Duffet, took their leadership training to the next level. In addition to being STAR Leaders
with our Taking Shape organization, they also are enrolled in a dual credit leadership
class in their high school. One of the course requirements was to create a project that
they were passionate about and would benefit the community.

Isabella and Malori took the initiative to design their own series of Chance to Dance classes that were held at the Richmond Shapes Dance and Acro Studio. Both girls took the ball and ran with the idea! They organized, marketed and taught a movement and exercise class for special needs adults in the Ray County area. They marketed the classes through social media, flyers and visiting group homes in the area, inviting qualified candidates to the free classes. The class format incorporated gross motor skills, balance, musicality and coordination. The class was taught monthly by both girls and averaged over 20 participants in each class.

The dual credit project for their high school completed in January, but now, several months
later, due to the popularity of the class and the value of service which these girls have
experienced, they have chosen to keep the program going until the end of the school year.

Taking Shape bases is curriculum on 5 points of the star; Trust, Serve, Love, Growth and
Excellence. These girls have taken “Serve” above and beyond and are true leaders as
they grow in character and cause a ripple effect of leadership in their own community.

Isabella Duffet comments on her experience with this leadership project, “ Teaching a
Chance to Dance class was so rewarding because dance has brought so much joy to
my life for so long and it was cool to share that joy with other people who don’t get
the opportunity to dance.”

Taking Shape is proud of the excellent example of servant leadership that these
two young ladies have portrayed.

This is our mission of our organization, to grow young leaders who impact others!
Our goal is to continue to raise up young leaders Here, Near and Far in order to
make the world a better place.It is working! We are on a mission! We will
continue to change lives!

Taking Shape Breaks Ground in Port au Prince Haiti

It was just a year ago I shadowed a friend and colleague of mine on a mission trip to Haiti. Katie is an extraordinary human being, with a heart to give back on all levels. She is a TED talk presenter, owner of a dance school, executive director of a global non-profit, and in her spare time is building a school in Uganda. I had my own vision of building a performing arts school in a third world country and my goal for that trip was to learn from her in expanding our non-profit organization, Taking Shape.

I didn't quite know what to expect in this country that was still reeling from a devastating earthquake of 2010.  We visited Lephare, a small orphanage where we planned to bring some joy by conducting games and singing and dancing. The dismal facility had a rusty, steel gate that served to protect the precious lives within. When we entered, our hearts were immediately warmed as a flood of smiling, excited children greeted us. We were witness to resilience, love, energy, and respect. I had found the location to bring my vision to fruition.

One of the missions of Taking Shape is to identify and develop young leaders. Our goal is to help them live a life of purpose and servant leadership for their communities, surrounding areas, and the world. Immediately, I could identify young leaders in this orphanage and knew this would be the perfect place to build a performing arts school and young leadership facility. Now, one year later, we are seeing this vision become a reality with our August groundbreaking. I want to express my profound gratitude for each and every one of you who have helped us reach this milestone.

Work includes an expansion of rooms including bedrooms and bathrooms for the 23 residents. We will continue on to build a community school in conjunction with the project so other children in the area can benefit. Things are happening quickly. We will begin performing arts mission camps in the summer of 2018.

I often get asked why we are helping children in another country when there is so much to be done in our own communities. Our goal is to grow young leaders Here, Near and Far. This project will not only help children in Haiti but will provide exceptional leadership opportunities for our own STAR leaders from our local program. They will get the opportunity to serve on a global level by registering to teach at these camps in Haiti next summer.

I was moved by how eager these Haitian children were to learn. They don't take anything for granted. They have deep faith, hope, and an appreciation for education. They take care of each other. I have witnessed how they are already leaders in their own community. With your ongoing help, we will continue to answer the call in partnering with Pastor Jean of Lephare Orphanage as we help them expand their school and facility. Taking Shape will also continue to work on our three platforms; Here, Near and Far, as we continue to make differences in the lives of children through youth leadership.

Help us continue our mission to raise young leaders Here, Near and Far

by donating here today!