Alegría: A Dance-Based

Health Education Program

Summer 2013

“…it is a time for laughing and

smiling...”

--Alegria Parent Participant

Presentation Outline

Background & History

Methods

Outcomes & Lessons

Learned

Next Steps

Background & History

Background and History

Language barriers

Social barriers

Economic barriers

Transportation

difficulties

Knowledge of healthcare

system

Foreign-Born in SC--44% (Pew, 2011)

Coordinators

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Teacher

Community Health Worker

(CHW)/Bilingual Patient Services

Representative

MUSC Alliance for Hispanic Health Advisor

Occupational Therapist

Speech Therapist

Methods

Budget ($1,000)

Staff

Facility

Food/Drink (Light refreshments)

Marketing and Publications

Miscellaneous Supplies (Brochures, Surveys)

In-Kind Donations (over $1500)

Meals (pizza, appetizers, etc.)

Advertisement

Dance and Gymnastics Demonstrations

Piñatas

Balloon Portrait Display

Painting supplies

Face painting and animal balloons

Adopt-A-Piñata Sponsors

MUSC Alliance for

Hispanic Health

Floyd Brace Company

MUSC Children's Care,

North Charleston &

Moncks Corner

Monica Mason

Fred Reyes

Food Sponsors

El Sabor Latino

La Hacienda Restaurant

La Nortena Taqueria

Little Star of the Caribbean Food Truck

Tropical Kitchen Express

Special Event Sponsors

Arena Balloons Portrait Background Display

Charleston Latin Groove

Chirie Dautel Dance

Oui Dance 2 Dance Company

Roaring Twenties Hot Jazz Dance Club

K 9 Care Unit Pet Therapy group

Zumba by Christian Yonce

Featured Non-Profits

ABRAZOS program

Family Connections

Spanish Outreach

program

PASOS program

Seacoast Church

Dream Center

Health Education Resources

American Heart Association Brochures:

¿Cómo puede la actividad física convertirse en un estilo de vida?

How can physical activity become a lifestyle?

¿Cómo puedo cocinar comida saludable?

How can I cook healthy food?

Colegio de Profesionales de Terapia

Ocupacional de Puerto Rico

Videojuegos y la televisión

Video games and television

Participant Feedback

Alegría is a great opportunity to get involved

with the community and has taught me how

little it can take to bring a smile to someone’s

face. Everyone deserves the opportunity to

celebrate the joys of life, and Alegría makes

that happen!"

--Alegría Volunteer Pamela Vesely

Outcomes & Lessons

Learned

Survey Outcomes Ages (14 respondents):

0 to 3 years old (3)

3 to 5 years old (4)

5 to 10 years old (3)

10 to 15 years old (3)

15 to 20 years old (1)

20+ year old (0)

Child Impairments:

Blindness or visual difficulties (1)

Deaf or hearing difficulties (2)

Intellectual/cognitive difficulties (3)

Medical difficulties (4)

Physical difficulties (5)

Psychiatric difficulties (0)

Speech and language difficulties (6)

Other: Autism/PDD (2), Down Syndrome (1)

Survey Outcomes

General Ratings

Program Item Ratings

Location Excellent or Good (100%)

Times Excellent or Good (100%)

Food Excellent or Good (100%)

Staff/volunteers Excellent or Good (100%)

Special Events Excellent or Good (100%)

Survey Outcomes

Most beneficial aspect:

Increased knowledge

of strategies to

interact with and

help my child with

special needs (78.5%)

Program Benefits to Family

Knowledge of ways to promote health

and wellness for my family (42.9%)

Knowledge of strategies to interact

with and help my child with special

needs (78.6%)

Knowledge of resources in the area to promote

health and wellness for my family (42.9%)

Social support and/or knowledge

of strategies for coping (42.9%)

Next Steps

The opportunity to work with these children

and these families during the past four weeks

has filled my heart with joy and hope for them

and their siblings. It is an honor to be part of

this experience.

--Alegría Volunteer Martha Gomez

Alegria

Non-Profit Org.?

Dances?

Community Events?

Respite Night?

Student Fieldwork?

Community Grants?

Thank You to Our Sponsors MUSC Alliance for

Hispanic Health

Arena Balloons

El Sabor Latino

Floyd Brace Company

La Hacienda Restaurant

La Isla Magazine

La Nortena Taqueria

Latin Groove

Little Star of the Caribbean Food Truck

MUSC Children's Care, North Charleston & Moncks Corner

Oui Dance 2 Dance Company

Roaring Twenties Hot Jazz Dance Club

Seacoast Church Dream Center

Tropical Kitchen Express

Vida Bella Services, LLC

“Un Café con Fe”