Today I’d like to welcome Susan Rizzo Vincent, President of The Andréa Rizzo Foundation, which funds a wonderful program – Dréa’s Dream…
What is the mission of the Andréa Rizzo Foundation?
The Andréa Rizzo Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the funding of Dréa’s Dream; a pediatric dance therapy/expressive movement program for children with cancer and special education needs – in hospitals, special education classrooms and medical settings.
Programs are led by trained Dance/Movement Therapists registered with the American Dance Therapy Association.
Who benefits from Dréa’s Dream pediatric dance therapy programming and where?
Children with cancer and special education needs benefit from Dréa’s Dream in small groups at schools or hospitals and bedside in medical settings. We provide pediatric dance therapy/expressive movement in the following hospitals and schools:
| Pediatric Medical Centers | Public Schools | ||
| California Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLAChildrens Hospital Los Angeles
Connecticut Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
Soundbridge Center for the Hearing Impaired
Colorado Memorial Hospital, Colorado Springs
Florida St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital |
Indiana Riley Hospital for ChildrenMassachusetts Mass General Hospital
Missouri Cardinal Glennon Hospital
New York Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Ronald McDonald House
Rhode Island Hasbro Children’s Medical Center |
Connecticut Memorial Elementary SchoolIndiana Glen Acres Elementary School
New Jersey Herbert Richardson 21st Century School
Ignazio Cruz Early Childhood Center |
New York John Street SchoolAlvin Ailey Arts in Education
J.M Rapport School, NYC
Rhode Island Narragansett Elementary School
Carey School
West Warwick High School |
Who are your biggest supporters so that programming can be sustained?
Dancers and dance educators are our biggest supporters – they hold dance-a-thons, dance parties or benefit performances through our Dance Across America® fundraising initiative. Dancers possess a deep level of understanding of the power of dance.
Dance schools and dance companies hold dance events that are meaningful and allow their dancers the opportunity to be creative and combine their love of dance with compassion for those who wish that they could be dancing too. They want to make a difference through – DANCE!
We personally help the dancers to be creative and think of something meaningful that fits their schedule. We provide materials and thank you items for all participants. Dance schools or dance companies who raise $5000 or more can dedicate their proceeds to starting Dréa’s Dream pediatric dance therapy programming near to their hometown.
This was the 6th year of our Dance Across America fundraising initiative, enabling dancers across the country to “let their hearts move their feet.” The grand total for Benefit Performances and dance-a-thons exceeded $40,000 in donations – a sincere and generous gift from dancers.
Let your heart move your feet …….®
If you are interested in getting involved, you can visit Dance Across America. You may also want to watch this short video that gives more details about the back story of Andréa Rizzo’s life and how this amazing organization came to be.
Want to get in touch with Susan? You can call her at 401 952 2423.
Want to support the foundation? Follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arizzofoundation
BIO: Susan Rizzo Vincent founded The Andréa Rizzo Foundation, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to bringing dance therapy to children with cancer and special needs in schools and medical settings.
A public school educator for 28 years, Susan Rizzo Vincent has been listed in “Who’s Who in American Teachers.” She was the keynote speaker at the 2005 New England American Dance Therapy Association’s Annual Conference. She has received the “Women of Vision and Courage Award, 2004” from Salve Regina University where she earned a certificate from their Expressive Arts Institute. Susan has appeared on ABC TV Eyewitness News in NYC and was featured in Woman’s Day magazine for receiving their “Women Who Inspire Us Award” in November 2005. Susan was featured on Ladie’s Home Journal Online’s “Ladies We Love” in 2010. She received Lifetime Achievement Awards from The American Dance Therapy Association as well as Rhee Gold’s DanceLife Annual Dance Conference in 2009.
Susan was recently honored with the Open Heart Award by Jane Seymour’s Open Hearts Foundation at their inaugural gala in Malibu, California along with Good Morning America Anchor, Robin Roberts; football legend, Emmit Smith and Jesse Billauer of Life Rolls On.