Mission

Harlem Swings goal is to empower youth through social dance and swing music. To bring back a dance to the community of its birth, and to foster a new generation of upstanding young adults who love to dance and are role-models for their schools and communities.

Goals

• To provide presentations, demos, dances and ongoing lessons taught or produced by recognized Lindy Hop instructors who are both accomplished teachers and dancers as well as community role-models
• Make Social Dance education accessible despite social barriers or financial hardships to all participants year round.
• Provide 2 teachers for each lesson when possible; male and female instructors (as Lead and Follow role-models) to encourage men and women, boys and girls to dance.
• Produce community ambassadors for Lindy Hop culture in Harlem, New York
  

Benefits

The positive psychological, emotional and physical benefits of children and young adults who are able to express themselves through dance and music have been well documented.   In addition, the benefits of learning a dance form created in ones own backyard with positive social interaction, community heritage and a fun environment often produces amazing outcomes.
Here are just a few:

Physical exercise that is fun and benefits overall health 
Helping youth connect to their community 
Promoting inter-generational dance appreciation
Jazz appreciation 
Sense of pride and responsibility 
Building teamwork skills 
Positive & respectful social interactions between sexes
Decrease in stress and behavioral problems
Improved grades
Contagious happiness!