By Kamryn Keating and Hope Hershberg, Public Relations Co-Chairs, Youth Community Fund
Ana Dimas is the founder of Bronxville Ballet and its nonprofit arm, Bronxville Ballet NFS, which provides ballet classes and ballet dresses to children in need. Dimas’ top priority is to ensure that every dancer feels special and beautiful. She also guarantees that the class environment is always warm and welcoming.
Bronxville Ballet NFS began when Ana Dimas designed ballet dresses for little girls. After meeting with a top designer who loved the dresses, Dimas decided to give the dresses away to girls in need and girls with special needs. Dimas also started providing dance classes to these girls.
The Youth Community Fund (“YCF”), comprised of local high school student volunteers, helps Dimas provide instruction and friendship to her dancers. The classes are focused on helping the dancers achieve their individual goals. Last spring, the Community Fund provided a grant to Bronxville Ballet NFS to help support this program, which is free to participants.
Dimas describes the partnership with the YCF as a “win-win situation” because the dancers and the volunteers gain valuable experiences. The dancers become physically and socially active, and the volunteers have the opportunity to help others in their community.
YCF volunteer Charlotte Brandes describes her participation in these classes as “a great experience” and something she looks forward to every month.
Dimas hopes to offer more dance classes for older children in the future.
