Christopher learns the power of connection, pg. 8
Dance Partners make a difference, pg. 11
F A L L
Lift: What we accomplished together, pg. 6
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Positive Change to Last a Lifetime During the pandemic, COVID-19 has shined a light on the heavy, multilayered impact upon our most vulnerable children from low-income communities due to the complications that distance learning and social distancing have raised.
Dawn S. Reese
Chief Executive Officer @DawnSReese
The Wooden Floor is taking a long view on the potential impact that COVID-19 may have on our students’ personal and educational development because of the 10-year commitment we make to them and their families, well after this pandemic will be over. An article by McKinsey and Company titled, “COVID-19 and Student Learning in the United States: The Hurt Could Last a Lifetime,” resonated with our team. Questions emerged: A lifetime? Could a pandemic that lasts over a relatively short period of months or even a few years have a lifetime of implications on our students, or children in our community? We believe The Wooden Floor’s creative youth development approach is even more essential at a time like this, to make a difference in the lives of the students we serve. We provide an opportunity for children to learn, grow, connect, and even thrive through change. Recently, we have adapted our dance education, academic services, college and career readiness, and family services to a virtual environment with further focus on the whole child, with the following guiding themes: 1) connection; 2) techno-literacy; 3) creativity; 4) mental and physical wellness. Through the feedback we received from our students and families, we have determined they feel and know that they are supported, they can navigate these challenging times better than others in their community, and they are equipped to help their children at home and at school. We have so much to be proud of, including what we are accomplishing in the midst of these uncertain times. We wanted to take the opportunity to share that we culminated our Lift Campaign this past March, highlighting a few of the achievements from the past four years on page 6. We are balancing uncertainty of what is ahead with the duality of hopeful optimism of brighter days for all of us, especially our students, families, and our community. We are emboldened to forge ahead by the fact that a loving community of supporters, like you, continues to work tirelessly by our side, each and every day, to keep the promise we make to our students: from here you can step anywhere.
With gratitude,
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THE WOODEN FLOOR
Mission Moment
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A combination of live virtual classes and on-demand videos were available for all dance levels during our summer session. Dance education classes focused on physical well-being, adapting to change, connectedness, and joy. Students learned to follow notation symbols that represent an action or specific meaning, and explored them through improvisation, memorized them in level appropriate sequences or dances, and used them to create their own choreography. Live music was included as a way to replicate the in-studio experience as much as possible. Additional highlights included a weekly mini dance party to further achieve our goals of engaging with our students and their family members.
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Newsfeed
FREE LAPTOP DISTRIBUTION June 2020 The Wooden Floor distributed over 200 free laptops to many of our enrolled elementary and middle school students who faced losing their access to The Wooden Floor’s year-round services when schoolissued devices had to be returned at the end of the school year. When we identified students who would not have computers at home, our foundation and corporate partners immediately jumped at the chance to provide these special funds including Capital Group, Kingston Technology, Sun Family Foundation, and the Sharon Mae Charitable Fund. We are incredibly grateful for our community of supporters who rally around our students to ensure they succeed both in school and in life.
CLASS OF 2020 GRADUATION CELEBRATION May 2020 Although we could not gather together in-person to celebrate the Class of 2020, we hosted a very special curbside pick-up, joined by a small group of staff who cheered our graduates on from afar. We recognized our seniors with certificates and their caps and gowns as a final tribute to their hard work while they paid one last visit to our Main Street location as high schoolers, before heading to college. Afterward, Class Partners, supporters, board members, and staff were also able to share words of congratulations and support during an online virtual graduation celebration on Facebook. To view the virtual graduation celebration, visit our website TheWoodenFloor.org.
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THE WOODEN FLOOR
SUMMER ACADEMIC AND FAMILY SERVICES June 2020 The Wooden Floor’s summer academic services went virtual this year, which allowed our team to reimagine our services for an at-home setting. Our 3rd and 4th graders embarked on our first ever Read Along Book Club alongside their parents as they read the bilingual book, Family Pictures by Sandra Cisneros and Carmen Lomas Garza, practicing their reading comprehension, spelling, writing, vocabulary, and fluency skills. In our academic programs, our 6th and 7th graders took part in Connect 6 and Connect 7, a weekly virtual meeting where students engaged with one another through topics focusing on social-emotional wellness. Meanwhile, middle school students continued with our virtual Empowerment Workshops partnering with Chapman University’s Crean College of Health and Behavioral Science.
COLLEGE TOURS AND CAREER DAYS July 2020 Every summer, our students have the opportunity to go on college tours as well as learn more about future careers they’re interested in from industry professionals. With the need to go virtual for our summer session, our college and career readiness programs have included Virtual College Tours hosted by our alumni currently attending colleges and universities around the country. Our new Career Day Speaker Series featured speakers from AltaMed, Department of Children and Family Services, Edwards Lifesciences, Humanity, Share Our Selves, and UC Davis, so that all of our high school students learn about skills needed for 21st century jobs and careers.
SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVES July 2020 Fourteen students and two alumni attended summer virtual dance intensives on scholarship. The David Dorfman Dance summer intensive included learning modern technique, improvisation, repertory, as well as artistry and performance skills taught by David Dorfman and company members. The Backhausdance summer intensive included morning yoga, Pilates, or wellness class, followed by classes in Backhausdance technique, repertory, creative process, as well as mentoring- culminating in a live YouTube performance by students. “Last week was the best week I have ever had since quarantine started. David Dorfman and all of the instructors provided a safe, nurturing environment that helped me feel comfortable exploring new ideas. The environment reminded me of The Wooden Floor. I felt no pressure at all, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like myself again, I felt like a real dancer. I cannot thank The Wooden Floor enough for granting me this experience.” –Jocelyn Magana, The Wooden Floor Alumna, Class of 2017; Cal State Long Beach, BFA Dance, Class of 2021
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Thank You F O R W H AT W E H AV E A C C O M P L I S H E D T O G E T H E R We would like to announce the culmination of our Lift Campaign. This monumental campaign within our organization’s history sought to bring our entire community together by recognizing all philanthropic contributions over the past four years in support of our mission, our incredible outcomes, and the future generations of students served by The Wooden Floor. Thanks to these efforts, the funds raised have provided the resources necessary to advance student success through: growth and excellence of existing programs; investment in campus expansion; and increasing organizational sustainability. We would like thank our Campaign Chairman Damien Jordan, and the Campaign Cabinet, our Board of Directors and Board Emeriti, and give special recognition to our Visionary Leadership supporters: The Beall Family Foundation; the Allan & Sandy Fainbarg Family; Virginia & Richard Hunsaker; Yvonne & Damien Jordan; and the Linda and Tod White Charitable Fund for their extraordinary support and efforts in the success of the Lift Campaign.
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THE WOODEN FLOOR
Highlights from the Lift Campaign In 2018, we opened our second location, The Wooden Floor at Depot at Santiago, with programmatic operating expenses fully prefunded for 10 years. The support garnered through this campaign has allowed us to welcome an additional 100 year-round students, now totaling 475 children served from low-income communities, without diminishing quality or outcomes for our current student body. We expanded our staff and hired new Student Support Services team members including: ■ College and Career Readiness Academic Advisors, who provide 1 : 1 mentoring support for students in grades 6 to 12. ■ Additional tutors, who provide approximately 8,900 tutoring hours annually. ■ A Student Support Services Manager and a Next Step Coordinator to oversee and support our Academic Advisors. Although the comprehensive campaign as a whole has come to an end, the needs of our students and our community continue to evolve and grow. It is important to create long-term sustainability for our mission over time; therefore, we plan to continue our work of building upon our Endowment Fund to complete our $10 million goal, of which 72% has been raised. Through the generosity of current gifts, estate gifts, and The Wooden Floor Legacy Society planned gifts, our supporters will help us to impact the lives of children for generations to come. We are honored and humbled by the generous support from so many of you to further our efforts to inspire young people and build our community.
Thank you!
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In the First Person:
Christopher,
Class of 2026
“I can’t wait to just see everyone when we get back to The Wooden Floor. I am now used to doing my schoolwork virtually. While I am at home, I can ask my Academic Advisor at The Wooden Floor for help. The virtual Empowerment Workshop through The Wooden Floor was my favorite because we were able to share our ideas. I also did The Wooden Floor’s virtual dance videos – they were good. Dancing helps relieve my stress. I get nervous and stressed about my grades. I just want to get the best scores on things. The Wooden Floor makes me happier in general. Being here has made me comfortable talking more. I’ve gained confidence. When you participate in the Annual Concert, most of the time you choose your own movements. You learn to be confident enough in yourself to be able to tell others what your moves are. The Wooden Floor is a great environment. There are really nice people who are always willing to help you if you need it. I am making good friendships and a lot of good memories.”
Christopher joined The Wooden Floor in 2017. He will be entering the 7th grade at C.E. Utt Middle School in Tustin, where he finished the past school year with a 3.0 GPA. He is on track to be the first in his family to go to college. Christopher and his father have participated in The Wooden Floor’s Empowerment Workshop in collaboration with Chapman University, which aims to support and guide students and their parents by addressing key developmental milestones and formulating enriched personal agency and parental involvement.
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THE WOODEN FLOOR
2020-2021 Board of Directors Judith F. Posnikoff, PhD,* Chairwoman Managing Director, Martlet Asset Management, LLC Arthur Ong,* Immediate Past Chair Executive Vice President, Retired, Deputy General Counsel PIMCO Saar Swartzon,* Vice Chair Principal Attorney, Cohn & Swartzon, a Professional Law Corporation Yvonne O’Neill,* Treasurer Certified Public Accountant, O’Neill Financial Management Joseph Chatelle,* Secretary Principal, Mercer Theresa Allen,* Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, First Republic Private Wealth Management Meg Appelgate, Vice President and Managing Director, Gochnauer Family Foundation Sasha Ayloush, Director of Sales & Marketing, Hydraflow Falon Baltzell, MFA, Artistic Director, The Wooden Floor Michelle Dean,* Community Leader
Iris Lopez-Guevara, Parent Representative Community Leader Catherine M. MacIver, Community Leader Dana McCollum General Manager American Funds/Capital Group Companies, Inc. Dale A. Merrill, MFA, Dean, College of the Arts, California State University Fullerton Linh Nguyen, Vice President, Advance Beauty College Alix Portillo, Compliance Analyst, Commercial Bank of California Dawn S. Reese, CFRE, Chief Executive Officer, The Wooden Floor Rossi Staynova, Parent Representative Community Leader Mary E. Tolar, Vice President and Senior Strategic Program Manager, American Funds/Capital Group Companies, Inc. Ernesto M. Vasquez, FAIA, NCARB, Partner & CEO, SVA Architects, Inc.
Board Emeriti Joan Beall, Community Leader
Brent Funston, Chief Executive Officer, Wind River Group, LLC
Beth A. Burns, Founder of The Wooden Floor and Artistic Director (’83-’05)
Elizabeth Gonzalez, Alumni Representative Community Leader
Sharon Hartshorn, Community Leader
Bryan Green, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones Jehan Jayakumar, Founding Partner, Carlson & Jayakumar, LLP Jeremy Krout, President/CEO, Environmental Planning Development Solutions, Inc. Richard Lee, Market President, Retired, Aetna, Southern California
Richard C. Hunsaker, President, Hunsaker Management Virginia Hunsaker, Community Leader Damien M. Jordan, General Manager, Retired, American Funds/ Capital Group Companies, Inc. Yvonne M. Jordan, Community Leader Socorro Vasquez, Community Leader *Executive Committee Members.
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14th Annual
Keep The Promise™ BENEF IT
S PO N SOR S PREMIER Joan & Don Beall Sharon & Terry Hartshorn Janice & John Markley
GOLD Argyros Family Foundation Adele & Bryan Green The Hughes Family Carole & Rich Lee Judy Posnikoff Nancy & Jeff Stack Julie & Justin Wilson Nancy & Arn Youngman
S I LV E R
A
lthough we are unable to gather this year to celebrate the students of The Wooden Floor and enjoy a fun evening of wine tasting, we are joining together with our Co-Chairs Janice and John Markley and Premier Sponsors Joan and Don Beall to continue to raise funds for our year-round programs that transform the lives of under-served youth in Orange County. Sponsorships range from $1,500 to $30,000.
Because there will not be any event costs this year, 100% of the proceeds raised will benefit The Wooden Floor’s comprehensive dance, academic, and family services programs that support nearly 500 under-served youth each year. When we tell our youth, "From here, you can step anywhere," we promise that we will see them through high school and on to college. Please join us in keeping our promise!
Doreen & Jack Bray The Ezralow Company Frome Family Foundation Teri & Alan Hoops Hydraflow - Ayloush Family Yvonne & Damien Jordan Jon Lash & Shelly Sandoval Ginger & Arthur Ong Carolyn & Peter Shea Mary & Gary Tolar Peter G Welsh
BRONZE Theresa & Jonathon Allen Edna & Richard Cole Karin Krogius & Scott Mason Bonnie & Dan Platt Kassie & Greg Richardson Simon Foundation for Education and Housing
COPPER Denise & Keith Banning Ruchika Garga Sandy & Charlie McLaughlin The Muzzy Family Donna Neff
THEWOODENFLOOR.ORG / WI N ETAST ING As of August 4, 2020.
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Supporter Sightings
DANCE PARTNERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD Reflecting on the current state of our students’ lives, we have identified mentorship and connection as central needs of our students to overcome these challenging times. Dance Partners underwrite participation for our most in-need students and provide encouragement as students make their 10-year journeys towards higher education and beyond. Long-time supporters Karen and Steve Presley have been Dance Partners with Rolando for more than five years since he was nine years old. As his Dance Partners, they exchange letters with Rolando and visit him at The Wooden Floor a few times a year. Over the past five years, they feel honored to see Rolando grow into a confident young person who navigates his high school years with grace, strength of character, and a renewed commitment to dance and The Wooden Floor.
“Being Rolando’s Dance Partner is a joy! We all enjoy our time with him. He’s incredibly thoughtful, wise, and talented, and we are so proud of the special young man he is. It’s wonderful to see the organization through his eyes and to share in his discoveries along the way.”
Karen Presley, Dance Partner to Rolando, Class of 2023
A Dance Partner commitment of $209 per month or $2,500 annually, per child, helps underwrite a student’s dance, academic, and family support programs for one year. For more information, visit our website at TheWoodenFloor.org/DancePartner or contact Annie Song, Development Manager at 714.541.8314 ext. 125 or Annie.Song@TheWoodenFloor.org.
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RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
NONPROFIT US POSTAGE
PAID
SANTA ANA, CA PERMIT NO. 949
1810 North Main Street Santa Ana, CA 92706-2727 714.541.8314 TheWoodenFloor.org
Support our Students! Please consider continuing your support to help us raise funds for our year-round programs that transform the lives of underserved youth in Orange County.
Visit Our New Website! We are very excited to announce the launch of our newly designed website! After months of hard work and dedication, we are delighted to offer a new website that is more userfriendly, reflects our visual communications strategies, and is fully responsive across all devices, including mobile. Our previous website served us for 10 years, which is quite the feat in the digital world! We felt it was essential to make improvements to stay up-to-date with our supporters and more accurately reflect The Wooden Floor’s values, especially Community, Excellence, and Stewardship. Among the new features of the site: ■ More fluid, responsive design ■ 100% mobile-friendly ■ Streamlined navigation ■ More modern, scrollable page layouts ■ Better visual organization and graphics Let us know what you think by sending us an email at Info@TheWoodenFloor.org.
VIEW OUR NEW WEBSITE AT THEWOODENFLOOR.ORG
Photography by Timothy Agler, Christine Cotter, Sarah Delgado, and Tony Lattimore. ©2020 The Wooden Floor.
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More information at TheWoodenFloor.org/Donate.