Supporting your Dance Students Outside of Dance Class
/People are hurting right now. How can I, in my role as a dance teacher, help? One idea is to help your dance students by connecting them with resources. (My next blog post will be about how you can help your students by advocating for social justice.)
Sharing resources with your dance students can be done in a number of ways. Here are some of my ideas:
-Consider adding pandemic-related resources to the resource page on your website
-Send your students an email saying you are concerned with their emotional as well as physical health and include a list of community agencies who are offering emotional and financial help
-Post a similar message to your class Facebook group
I would love to hear about ways you are creatively supporting your students right now!
What could you identify and share? I suggest emotional, financial, and family safety resources. I have included my resource list below all found through simple Google searches. Please let me know if you need assistance finding resources in your area, whether it is in the US or another country. I will do the best I can to help!
Update on 6-23-20
Since I posted this blog, I have gotten into some wonderful conversations online with dance teachers about maintaining healthy boundaries! I realized I should come back in and post a link to a class on Boundaries the Terri Allred has on-demand at the Belly Dance Business Academy. The Boundaries class for dance instructors is $15.
Emotional
International
Online resources like the COVID Sanity Guide from Ten-Percent Happier
US, Canada, UK, and Ireland Text Crisis Line; for US text HOME to 741741 for free 24/7 crisis counseling
United States
US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
Wake County, NC
Wake County Network of Care for help with transportation, internet access, mental health, food resource locator, rent assistance, etc.
Alliance Behavioral Healthcare 24/7 crisis services
Financial
United States
USA Disaster Financial Assistance learn about national financial assistance for those impacted by COVID
Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (how to choose a reputable non-profit to help you with your financial difficulties)
Wake County, NC
COVID-19 Resources for small businesses and individuals
Financial Counseling and Coaching at Triangle Family Services
Wake County Network of Care for help with transportation, internet access, mental health, food resource locator, rent assistance, etc.
Family Safety
International
Futures without Violence Global Violence Prevention to find resources for victims all over the globe
United States
National Domestic Violence Hotline for those having to shelter-in-place with an abusive person
Protecting Children During COVID-19 Outbreak from End Violence Against Children
Wake County, NC
InterAct of Wake County for 24-hour crisis line, support services, and shelter
Reporting Child Abuse in Wake County instructions from SAFEchild
And here is a really useful list for US citizens of ways to get and give help in this time of COVID.