When the spread of COVID-19 forced the world to stay in, reaching out posed quite a challenge. To adapt, Turning Pointe created new ways to shine Christ's light through contact-free outreach and service opportunities, including pre-recorded performances, video messages and letters to isolated seniors and quarantined patients across the city. This year, as the holidays began to look more like they once did, students were blessed to return to in-person outreach—just in time for Christmas.
Students in the Training Division kicked off the Christmas season by performing at Turning Pointe’s neighboring facilities, visiting residents at Windsong Independent Living and Brookedale Vista Grande.
“Outreach is really important to me as a student, and to the training program as a whole,” Training student Anna Schuetz said. “It’s the reason why we dance—to show the joy of the Lord. It especially meant a lot to perform at the nursing homes this year because the people there have been so isolated and lonely.”
“It was so fun to see all of the resident’s faces as they watched us dance,” Training student Lacy Sachsenmaier added. “It’s such a blessing to bring joy to them this time of the year.”
While dancers were asked to perform in masks and complete symptom screening like temperature checks at the doors, ultimately the experience proved to once again be the blessing it’s been in years past.
“It was incredibly nice to be back,” Training student Zoe Lenters said. “The environment is just so different from what we normally do. With performances or in the studio, we’re all spread out and everything feels so big sometimes, but in these homes, we meet them and their space. It’s like a family, and seeing how excited they were to have us back, and the smiles on their faces while we danced made everything from the last year or so worth it.”
Students of Fidele Youth Dance Company continued the season’s outreach efforts, appearing in costume to meet, greet and play with children at the Play Street Museum’s Nutcracker Paint and Play Party.
“There were so many doors closed to the arts and to outreach last year, and it was such a joy to be back in person at things like this again,” FYDC Director Mimi McKinnis said. “The kids in attendance loved meeting real-life ballerinas, and our students loved being able to minister to the community in this way.”
Throughout the month, Turning Pointe also collected mittens and hats for local charities, spreading warmth around the community and shining His light with love.
For more information on Turning Pointe’s monthly outreach efforts, or to suggest an event, community drive or outreach initiative, reach out any time to turningpointedance@gmail.com!
