Dancin Power
Invite reviews
Invite friends and colleagues to share their experiences with this nonprofit
December 3, 2012
My first 'class' with Vania was in the corridor of Childrens Hospital Oakland about 4 yrs ago, with a girl who had serious asthma and another who was in a wheelchair. In 3 wods, it was wonderful! With Vania's help and huge smiles on their faces, the girls moved their arms and legs to the salsa beat. We laughed at our antics and encouraged passerbys to join in the fun. Vania's loving, generous heart and warm spirit continue to follow her in her great work. The world really needs her vision and I hope it never fades.
More feedback...
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
December 1, 2012
Dancin Power is to put it simply... a blessing! I have had the great pleasure of observing and participating in this amazing program. Vania and her dedicated and talented team provide such a valuable service to our community of kids at CHRCO; an opportunity to be transported through world music, fun movements, and engage with other kids (and sometimes their caregivers). it's so wonderfully healing to the human spirit while going through some of the darkest hours these kids and families will ever face. Thanks so very much Vania - for your passion and selfless attitude!! Cheers to Dancin Power!
More feedback...
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 25, 2012
I saw Dancin Power (DP) way back when it started and am so proud and pleased to see how it grows today! DP serves so many patients, siblings, and families who so desperately need to feel normal, to feel alive and to feel worthwhile. Watching people participate in DP programs you watch magic come to life. People forget their pain, their stress, their worries for a period of time and are transformed into a person, living in their body, breathing, moving, dancing, laughing, smiling. They are beautifully, simply, perfectly ALIVE! They continue to bring community together with music and movement and are an empowering force, brining people and patients the highest quality of life possible. Thank you Dancin Power for all you do!
More feedback...
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 24, 2012
Dancin Power is an amazingly inspiring program, and I can't say enough good thing about it! When illness or injury comes into our lives, it can feel incredibly isolating--ironically, just when the need for connection is at its greatest. Dancin Power meets children who are carrying the burden of serious illness right where they are. It provides a safe and supportive space for these kids to experience whatever kind of joyful, health-supportive physical expression they can, guided by volunteers who help them find movements that feel fun and comfortable, despite any physical limitations. Anyone who sees a Dancin Power session as "just a dance class" is just not paying attention! A Dancin Power session, lead by its tireless leader Vania or any one of the team of dedicated and caring volunteer instructors, is an incredible reminder to children who are often no strangers to pain or discomfort that their bodies can still be a source of expression and fun. As a Dancin Power volunteer, I have been privileged to witness firsthand the simple joy that movement can bring to a room-bound kid or the awakening to one's body not as a source of embarrassment or shame but as a source of fun and self-expression. Dancin Power truly delivers on its mission to inspire and empower kids through movement.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 24, 2012
Dancin Power has empowered many children and family members dealing with disease and stresses associated with hospitalization. Under Vania's leadership, patients are introduced to dance within the medical setting. She has been able to accommodate children with all kinds of mobility challenges and does so with grace and respect for each child. She works around IV poles, wheelchairs, paraplegia and pain to help kids be able to move in a way that is supportive to the medical plan as well as therapeutic to the child. The end result is that everyone around is vicariously uplifted. It is not uncommon to see a nurse pop in to a Dancin Power session and sway to the beat! This is such a powerful medium and one that is incredibly uplifting to everyone involved. Encore! Encore!
More feedback...
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 22, 2012
Dancin Power brings music, dance and movement to chronically ill children staying in hospitals. These things are so basic to the lives of healthy children that it’s easy to take them for granted, but exactly why Dancin Power makes such an incredible impact in the lives of hospitalized children and their families. Vania has adapted moves so that even wheelchair and bed-ridden children can move their arms and heads to the music.
Vania’s hospital classes are transformative – I’ve witnessed gatherings of sick, shy children, along with their visiting siblings and parents, become playful, laughing kids and families again. The children look forward to the dance classes all week – a chance to feel ‘normal’ again – and parents clamor to find out when Vania will return. It takes an incredible amount of administration, organization and dedication to provide these classes in a hospital setting, and Vania leads her organization in such a passionate and professional manner – with the goal of training new teachers and expanding availability of her classes – I hope that more people can support Dancin Power’s amazing work in our community hospitals.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 20, 2012
I am a firm believer in the power of dance and expressive arts, and Dancin' Power provides a positive affirmation of this. This is a phenomenal organization that is affecting individual lives in very tangible ways. Vania is a wonderful leader with a genuine interest in helping others, especially those who are unable to help themselves. Her vision for Dancin' Power is something we all can, and should, get behind!
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
2 people found this review helpful
November 20, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
There are many groups that bring joy and comfort. DancinPower is unique. To see the smiles, determination and happiness on the faces of these children who struggle with illness, disease and injury brings tears and hope to me. Tears seeing the joy on their faces and hope that DancinPower will continue their wonderful service. I will continue to donate and support this valuable group and encourage others to do so,too.
More feedback...
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 15, 2012
I began volunteering as a teacher-in-training with Dancin Power a few months ago after meeting the Founder, Vania, and Co-Founder, Sarah by chance after a dance movie. Vania was wearing a Dancin Power shirt and spoke to me about the program with such heartfelt enthusiasm and belief in what they were doing. I walked away from the conversation with a brochure and a deep knowledge in my heart that I wanted to be involved. As a professional dancer and public health professional I was excited about what I could bring into the lives of these children and their families but since volunteering I have found that I am the one rewarded and inspired by the strength and attitudes of the amazing individuals I have met and worked with through Dancin Power. Whether through music, movement, stories in motion or performance, seeing first-hand the smiles and energy of the participants is priceless. Though I have been dancing and teaching for over two decades I cannot say enough about all I have learned through the program and those involved. Vania is an extremely dedicated and capable leader, teacher and trainer. As a volunteer I have appreciated her overall energy, knowledge and approach in how she conducts the program and trains volunteers. She is extremely sensitive to the needs of the children and families we serve as well as our needs as teachers to provide a fun and supportive atmosphere for participants. Vania takes the time to train and nurture the volunteer teachers to work appropriately with the patients' needs in the hospital setting simultaneously allowing them to bring their own unique voices, talents and ideas to the program. I am thankful to be part of this amazing program and encourage people to support Dancin Power in any way they can.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 12, 2012
I donate to this organization because they do incredibly important work. Do you remember how good it feels to move your body to music? How alive and how connected you feel? Vania and Dancin' Power empower children in hospitals to have the same feeling. They're incredible, and we're so lucky to have them in our communities!
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Likely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
Filter by reviewer role:
Support This Nonprofit
Help this nonprofit get more reviews
5 tips for getting reviews