Therapeutic Ballet

Informed by her own transformative ballet journey out of the trauma caused by abuse, Meredith Harper Houston envisioned a curriculum and mentorship program for teenage girls. Now operating in juvenile detention, rehabilitation centers, and foster care, our program provides the opportunity for young girls to rediscover the grace and strength within and begin to heal.

 

Ballet Behind Bars

 

The youth in our programs have been labeled as troubled, delinquent, and problematic. They’ve developed detachment to cope with deep wounds caused by neglect, abuse, and incarceration.

The rigor of ballet helps girls to gain agency and control over their bodies and the personal strength to reclaim their identities and accountability needed to rebuild their lives.

“I started running away when I was 12. I would sneak out or I would sneak guys in.

My parents spoiled me with schooling and sports but there was a lot of fighting. Verbal and, at times, physical. 

I stayed at friends’ houses, going guy to guy, and started smoking and drinking.

I ran from place to place. I didn’t feel wanted.

Eventually I was doing crystal meth, dealing with pimps, getting beat, and sleeping in alleys and parks.

I started playing around with a guy who almost killed me. I chased and I ran. I got sexually abused and I fought for my life.

I shouldn’t have made it out alive. 

I felt alone, not cared about.

I didn’t want to live, but I didn’t want to die.

I wanted to do good for others but I couldn’t help myself. I hurt, I was empty.

I still hurt. The pain will never go away. But I am healing and I am going to do something with my life.”

— Therapeutic Ballet Program Participant

Our Programs

 

Tenets

  • Mindfulness

  • Balance

  • Transformation

  • Forgiveness

  • Resilience

  • Empowerment

Results

Using a trauma-informed approach, our programs help participants to:

  • Develop or redevelop trust

  • Gain ownership and agency over their bodies

  • Increase levels of self-esteem

  • Practice self-discipline

  • Change their life choices

 

“Your class allows me to feel more connected with myself mentally and spiritually. I feel beautiful, like I’m more than a girl in jail learning from the mistakes that brought me here.”

— Swan Within Program Participant

 

Swan Within combines dance instruction with life skills training to help our youth rebuild themselves from within.