We are so excited and pleased to announce our partnership with the Ballet For the World Initiative! Ballet For the World Initiative (BFTWI) is working to offer ballet, creative dance, and creative writing classes to unhoused children in the United States who cannot afford tuition for extracurricular programs. With volunteer and local community support, they provide a safe space that promotes children's artistic development. Each class allows children to freely express themselves and have creative freedom.

“Through ballet and creative writing, these children aren't just learning new skills—they're discovering new possibilities for their futures. Every class is a step toward greater confidence and self-expression.”

"Ballet for the World Initiative is a student-led organization that seeks to provide access to after-school activities for children who otherwise cannot afford it. Currently, the program operates at Hope Place emergency shelter, where many families with children displaced from their homes find safety and support as they work toward finding permanent housing. While the kids stay at Hope Place, they can attend dance and creative writing classes on Friday afternoons. This year, more than 100 kids have attended the classes. Many of the kids at the shelter have earned scholarships to dance at our partner dance studios and have had the opportunity to perform in theater productions such as Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and Don Quijote—little B. Is our long-term scholar and proof that when children gain access to an education, their lives change for the better.

Our mission is expanding this year, and in partnership with Brown Girls Do Ballet, we will begin our community dance classes program at the Boys and Girls Club of Deland. United Way of Volusia-Flagler counties awarded BFTWI a $2,500 grant to make this project a reality. In addition, many students at Stetson University have partnered with Ballet for the World to teach dance, fundraise, and clean the facilities once a month to keep the spaces in good condition for the kids.

BFTWI's student in the Creative Writing class

Once again, we are showing the World that Ballet, Dance, and education are transformative for children, especially those from vulnerable and low-income backgrounds. Organizations like Ballet for the World and Brown Girls Do Ballet are leading meaningful, necessary change in our communities and, alongside college students, achieving social justice through access to an education."

Thought from our Founder

“This is the power of investing in community leaders. Through the BFTWI, Fernanda is expanding access to free ballet instruction and creating meaningful opportunities for young dancers in Florida. Her work demonstrates what is possible when we equip local leaders with the resources, support, and trust to bring their vision to their communities. We are incredibly proud to support Fernanda as she continues building pathways for young people to discover the joy, discipline, and possibilities that dance can offer. It is an honor to be part of this journey and to witness the impact of her leadership firsthand.”

-TaKiyah Wallace, Founder, Executive Director, Brown Girls Do, Inc.

Little B. BFTWI's long-term scholar and former resident of Hope Place emergency shelter. Winner of the BGDB Tiny Dancer Scholarship

What’s Next

Through the partnership between Brown Girls Do Ballet and Ballet For The World Initiative, there is a new program coming soon: The Boys and Girls Club of Deland, Florida. Community Dance Classes in partnership with BGDB. Stetson students conducted a cleaning session to ensure kids have a clean space to dance.