FAQs

FAQ's

ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION

What is the mission of In Motion?
In Motion is a non-profit organization dedicated to altering the lives of at-risk youths by offering them the opportunity to immerse themselves in performing arts programs, at no cost to the children or their families. Through creative self-expression our children learn and strengthen vital skills to further their physical, mental and emotional development. Our programs aim to foster self-expression, cultivate leadership and teamwork skills, teach discipline, and introduce the students to new forms of performing arts.

How can I make a donation to In Motion? Easy! Go to our donate page and click on the "Donate" button. If you would prefer to write us a check, please make it payable to Unite with In Motion, and mail it to the following address:
Unite with In Motion
151 East 31st Street
Suite 14F
New York, NY 10016

Are there any other ways I can support In Motion?
Yes! We are always looking for volunteers. Just a few hours of your time each week or month can make an extraordinary difference in our ability to provide more performing arts programs to children! Making a difference in a child's life can be an extremely satisfying experience. We invite you to share in this opportunity by contacting us at info@UnitewithInMotion.org .

ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS

How are the programs structured?
Over the course of the program, children are provided with lessons twice a week and taught two performance pieces. In addition, the participants are taken to a show where they can see what they are learning done professionally. In Motion also provides students with personalized uniforms and costumes. The children perform in a final show at the end of the program. The show is an exciting opportunity for the participants, their families, peers and the community to come together to celebrate the children¹s accomplishments.

Where and how are the programs held?
The programs are held in partnership with New York City public schools. Classes and final events are usually held at the schools¹ facilities. We have held programs in Brooklyn and the Bronx. Typically, a teacher or a school staff member serves as a liaison between In Motion and the students¹ families to facilitate communication. Additionally, we hold a kick-off reception for the participants and their families before the start of each program. Our goal is not only to engage our participants, but their parents as well. This way, the parents can support their child¹s participation in the program and share their child¹s success with In Motion.

How are participants in the In Motion programs chosen?
We work with our partner schools to match interested students with our program offerings. We target students who we believe would benefit the most from our programs. At most schools, the program is introduced to the students in the form of a bulletin or at a fair. Teachers at the schools contribute to the selection process by encouraging students who would benefit from our program to join.

What types of performing arts does In Motion teach?
Currently, In Motion primarily provides dance programs. Our students have learned a variety of dance forms including ballet, jazz and Brazilian. We aim to introduce our participants to new experiences and performing art forms that they are not familiar with and would normally not have access to. We also aim to incorporate a cultural/historical element into the lessons.

How long does each program last?
Each program runs about three to four months.

Is there a class size limit?
Programs are limited to 15 students as we intend to provide a dynamic and personal experience for each individual child.

ABOUT OUR KIDS

What age group does In Motion work with?
We work with middle-school children, ages 10 to 13.

Does In Motion only work with girls?
No, In Motion has provided mixed programs for both boys and girls. However, at the 10 to 13 age range, there are many differences between genders and mixed classes can become segregated. Because In Motion is focused on fostering teamwork, creating a cohesive class dynamic is one of our priorities. For this reason, many of our classes only have female students.

ABOUT OUR PARTNER SCHOOLS AND INSTRUCTORS

How are the partner schools chosen?
In Motion currently works with the Teach for America community to select schools to partner with. We do so because these schools fit our target demographic. After reaching out to the Teach for America community and generating interest in our program, we send each interested school a list of questions they must answer and a set of criteria they must meet. Through this process we are able to narrow down our list of schools to a select few. We then hold in-person interviews with each school¹s officials to determine if we can build a lasting relationship with them. Some of the schools we¹ve worked with include: Achievement First (Brooklyn), Kings Collegiate (Brooklyn), and Urban Assembly (UAACE) (Bronx).

How are the In Motion instructors chosen?
We go through a very selective process to choose our instructors. In addition to being knowledgeable in their field, our instructors must also have extensive experience working with children and embody our organization¹s mission and vision. They are the most important part of the organization because they carry our mission to fruition. Given their importance, the interview process involves many steps. If you feel that you are qualified and would like to volunteer, please contact us at info@UnitewithInMotion.org .

"A true artist is a person who believes absolutely in himself, because he is absolutely himself." ~ Oscar Wilde