Throughout our years of work with young people, with and without autism, grew an understanding and desire to provide a way for all people to connect through discovering their Identity.
In April 2013, our non-profit organization held a series of workshops at the Westside School of Ballet in Santa Monica.
The cast consisted of young adults with autism matched with neurotypical peers through the Match-A-Friend principle with exceptional results several of which included: enthusiasm to participate, increased openness and desire to communicate and boost of creative expression, displayed in all participants.
In the Week 3 workshop, Elena teamed up with Westside Ballet instructor Sven Toorvald to lead participants through a series of ballet-basics and activities that teach to embody the qualities of Presence, Focus and Order. Here you can see ballet and its creative application in working to develop Identity.
Participants Testimonials
Arman Khodaei, Founder of “Empower Autism Now” & Valeria Veluka, the participants of Match-A-Friend workshop “Beautiful” share their experience at the Autism Unites Fundraiser, February 27, 2014. This evening was dedicated to the importance of connections which form who we are. A topic forever relevant to all of us.
