PROJECTS TO DATE….

- The foundation has helped a Boston dance studio with cleaning and Covid protocol expenses. The studio was able to stay open during trying times because of our assistance. One way we helped is by paying the rent for a pilates teacher to film her classes in the studio space. This simultaneously helped the studio owner and the pilates teacher. 

- Provided business classes to three artists/performers through Sunlight Tax. The recipients were all artists who grew up dancing at Dance Theatre Studio and now are professional artists, dancers, and personal trainers. They used their time during the Covid shutdown when theaters were closed to learn more about how to manage their finances, open LLCs, and charge for their intellectual property/talent.

- Purchased a karaoke and speaker system for Grace Hall in the Gilbert Residence in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Many of the caretakers have beautiful voices. They love to sing to the residents.

- We purchased puppets for Grace Hall at Gilbert Residence. These puppets allow caregivers and families to provide calming interactions with the patients when they are sad, overwhelmed, or seeking entertainment. The puppets were purchased by a locally owned business.

- The children’s book My Daddy Can Fly! was donated to seven elementary and local libraries. The picture book is about a young boy whose father has a unique position as a ballet dancer. Written by American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Thomas Forster. The books were purchased by a locally owned business.

- Exercise equipment was purchased for an elementary school for movement breaks.  The equipment was purchased by a family owned business.

- Moveable dance mirrors were gifted to Hilton Elementary/Hilton Musical Theatre to provide extremely low-cost dance and theatre instruction to students. The mirrors were purchased by a family owned business.

- In 2022, we began The Tracey Stewart Scholarship at Dance Theatre Studio. This scholarship honors Tracey by making it possible for recipients to use dance as a means to heal and play.

LOOKING AHEAD….

- We are in the very early stages, but we hope that an upcoming project will help a neurodivergent adult write and publish his autobiography. We are currently looking for a mentor/teacher to help David communicate what he wants to tell the world. He has a story and his dream is to publish a book. The local bookstore reached out to us because he came to them for help. We will fund the publishing of the book as well as the book release celebration at the local bookstore.

- A parent book club is being sponsored by the JJD Foundation led by a certified counselor and school principal revolving around the book Untangled for 20-30 parents of adolescent girls. 

- Our next project is helping to fund and install an outdoor music studio in the heart of Brighton, Michigan. This studio will be dedicated in memory of Al Wirth, a dear friend and fellow artist. Please visit www.millpondmusicstudio.weebly.com to learn more about the project and find out how you can help us make it happen for the children of Brighton.