Empowering Youth Through Dance and Development

Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA) proudly presents AileyCamp, a signature summer program held at Paseo Academy for Fine and Performing Arts. Designed for under-resourced youth ages 11 to 14, AileyCamp offers a unique blend of dance instruction and positive youth development that nurtures creativity while building essential life skills. Since its founding in 1989, AileyCamp has become a nationally recognized model for arts-based empowerment, serving youth in multiple cities across the country.

AileyCamp: More Than Dance

The six-week summer program combines modern, jazz, ballet, and tap dance classes with interactive lessons that address social-emotional learning. Through dance, students develop discipline, focus, and physical fitness. Beyond the studio, AileyCamp teaches critical skills such as conflict resolution, healthy peer relationships, substance use prevention, health, and nutrition. This comprehensive curriculum is delivered through a trauma-informed and culturally responsive lens, recognizing the unique experiences of youth of color who make up the majority of participants.

KCFAA’s expert staff integrate trauma-informed care principles—such as safety, empowerment, and collaboration—to create a nurturing environment that supports healing and growth. All staff and contractors receive training in Mental Health First Aid, enabling them to recognize and respond effectively to signs of mental health and substance use challenges.

Evidence-Based & Research-Informed Curriculum

Licensed social workers on staff utilize cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques in both individual and group sessions, addressing mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and trauma. CBT, considered a gold standard in psychotherapy, helps youth understand and change harmful thought and behavior patterns.

AileyCamp also incorporates elements from the Oakland Men’s Project anti-violence curriculum, which promotes respectful relationships and community engagement. This curriculum tackles gender stereotypes, violence prevention, and encourages youth to become active agents of positive change in their communities.

By blending these evidence-based strategies, AileyCamp supports youth in building resilience, reducing the risks of substance use, suicide ideation, bullying, and teen dating violence.

Year-Round Growth Through AileyCamp The Group (ACTG)

To sustain the progress made during summer, KCFAA offers AileyCamp The Group (ACTG)—a year-round program for youth ages 11 to 18. ACTG meets after school and on Saturdays, providing ongoing dance instruction at multiple skill levels (ballet, jazz, and modern), alongside personal development workshops on topics like self-esteem, substance use prevention, sex education, and financial literacy.

Students perform regularly in community events, allowing them to express emotions, build confidence, and experience the power of self-expression through the arts. ACTG provides a safe and engaging space during after-school hours, a time when youth are most vulnerable to risky behaviors such as substance use or violence.

Addressing The Needs Of High-Risk Youth

Both AileyCamp and ACTG primarily serve youth of color from low-income families in Kansas City’s highest-risk neighborhoods. Many participants live in zip codes with some of the city’s highest poverty rates, food insecurity, and violent crime, including areas near the COMBAT Hub of Greater Impact KC. These neighborhoods face challenges like low school enrollment, high exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and limited access to constructive after-school activities.

Research shows that youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who engage in arts education have better academic outcomes, including higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates. KCFAA’s programs not only provide the arts experience but also deliver trauma-informed prevention services designed to mitigate the effects of ACEs and poor social determinants of health.

The Power Of Social-Emotional Learning Through Arts

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is central to KCFAA’s approach. SEL helps youth manage their emotions, set goals, develop empathy, build healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions. Arts participation uniquely supports SEL by nurturing self-discipline, interpersonal skills, self-expression, and identity development.

KCFAA’s programming offers youth tools to heal from trauma, build coping skills, and develop confidence—factors essential for long-term success. These benefits ripple outward, promoting safer schools, stronger families, and healthier communities.

Community Impact & Commitment

Each summer, AileyCamp culminates in a free public performance where students showcase their hard work and creativity to families and the community. These events foster a sense of pride and accomplishment while strengthening community bonds.

With a commitment to serving those most in need, KCFAA prioritizes students who demonstrate financial need, factoring in family size, guardianship situations, and access to other programs. Approximately half of KCFAA’s youth live below the federal poverty level, and most qualify for free or reduced-price school lunch programs.

KCFAA’s holistic, culturally responsive programs are a critical resource in Kansas City, helping youth overcome barriers and build brighter futures.

Arts Education Driving Positive Change

Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey’s AileyCamp and AileyCamp The Group stand as vibrant examples of how arts education can drive positive change. By combining dance, social-emotional learning, mental health support, and violence prevention, these programs provide youth with the skills and confidence needed to navigate the challenges of adolescence and beyond.

Through creativity, connection, and empowerment, KCFAA helps youth transform adversity into opportunity—building stronger individuals and communities for generations to come.

Locations

Click on the window icon (upper right corner) of the map below to expand. List of all program locations is included with expanded view of map. Locations are also listed on this page below the map.