Site Coordinators Speak About Soul Rhythms: Part 1

This is the beginning of a series of blog entries by the Site Coordinators at our Neighborhood School Centers, who lead the location-based activities for the Culture Builds Community Projects. In this series, they are writing about Soul Rhythms, this year’s project, and the goals therein. 

 

These five women are amazing advocates for all entities they represent: Dayton Public Schools, Fitz Center at University of Dayton, community service agencies (YMCA, UHS, East End Community Services) and, of course, Cityfolk!

Mario

Ruskin PreK-8 School

One of my roles at Ruskin is to make sure that the community gets to know the school as a resource for the neighborhood. Collaborations like this one with Culture Builds Community really allow us to shine. We recruit participants from our student body and their families and open the school up for rehearsals. We become a destination after school!

As we began planning for this year’s event, we looked at this as an opportunity to highlight the Ahiska Turkish families who are moving into the neighborhood and sending their children to Ruskin. We are fortunate to have East End Community Services as our partner, and their Community Organizer, Amanda Arrington, is a member of our team. Through Amanda’s contacts in the community, we are facilitating a strong grassroots effort, inviting the Turkish parents and neighbors to help us choreograph a piece that reflects their dancing heritage.

Our goal at the end of this project is that our Ruskin families and neighbors will have a greater appreciation of the heritage and customs our new residents bring to the table. Twin Towers in on its way to being one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city. We are thrilled to be able to play a part in joining all groups together in one big extravaganza!