ABOUT US
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OUR STORY
Canada Youth Educational Sport and Dance non for profit organisation is established as a non-profit entity for the purpose of developing, promoting, and sustaining dance and sport, and to serve as a cultural resource to engage and enrich the community. Propelled by core values of community, access, excellence, and creativity, the Organization is committed to ongoing work on inclusion, equity, and diversity to ensure its programs are welcoming and accessible to all.
The mission of the Youth Educational Sport & Dance Organisation is to promote fitness and physical activity through dance and various dance styles to young people in diverse communities. We are dedicated to encouraging a healthy social and physical lifestyle for everyone by providing opportunities for children and youth, ages 4 to 20, to engage in our programs.
Our commitment to equal opportunities ensures that every child and teen, regardless of background or circumstance, can participate in our programs. We offer our services to public, private, and charter school students, homeschooled students, those engaged in distance learning, students with disabilities, and students from low-income families. Our goal is to make dance accessible and enjoyable for all, fostering a love for fitness and sports in the younger generation.
Our goal is to reach as many people as possible by organizing and providing workshops, educational conventions, seminars, examinations, and evaluations that allow everyone to participate, learn, and progress through dance. By providing access to these opportunities, students will gain a knowledge base that enables those who wish to pursue dance further to join competitions, festivals, and tournaments designed for higher-level dancers.
We are committed to promoting mental health, effective communication, and inclusivity through our programs. We believe in building a stronger Canada where charities, businesses, and government collaborate to nurture a robust and healthy young generation – our future. Through these collaborative efforts, we aim to create an inclusive environment where every young person has the chance to explore and excel in dance while fostering their mental well-being and communication skills.
The Young Educational Sport & Dance Organization, fondly known as YES&DO, began with a simple yet profound vision: to create a space where children and youth could flourish through the joys of dance and physical activity. Our story is rooted in a deep commitment to fostering health, confidence, and community among young people, regardless of their socio-economic background.
Our founder, a passionate dancer and educator, saw firsthand how transformative dance could be. Growing up in a low-income family, they had limited access to extracurricular activities. However, a chance encounter with a free dance program ignited a lifelong passion and dramatically improved their physical and mental well-being. This personal experience became the seed from which YES&DO sprouted.
In the early days, YES&DO was a small, local initiative with a handful of dedicated volunteers offering free dance classes in community centers. Word quickly spread about the positive impact these classes were having on the participants. Children who were once shy and reserved began to blossom, showing increased confidence and social skills. Parents noticed improvements in their children’s physical health and emotional well-being, and the community rallied around us.
With each passing year, our program expanded. We began collaborating with schools, community centers, and local businesses to reach more families. Recognizing the diverse needs of our participants, we included a variety of dance styles, from hip-hop to ballroom, ensuring there was something for everyone. We also integrated mental health workshops and educational sessions into our program, providing a holistic approach to well-being.
One of our proudest achievements has been the ability to offer our services to children with disabilities and those from diverse cultural backgrounds. Inclusivity is at the heart of what we do. We've seen children with physical and developmental challenges find joy and confidence on the dance floor. We've watched as newcomers to Canada made friends and integrated smoothly into their new communities through the universal language of dance.
Today, YES&DO serves over 150 families annually, providing a safe, supportive environment where young people can thrive. Our professional dance instructors and fitness experts are not just teachers; they are mentors who inspire and guide our participants.
Our journey is one of passion, dedication, and community spirit. We continue to grow and adapt, always with the goal of making dance and physical activity accessible to all children. We believe that every child deserves the chance to shine, to be healthy, and to feel confident. Through YES&DO, we are building a brighter, healthier future, one dance step at a time.