HeartShare Human Services of New York

Each year HeartShare's Family Support Program sponsors a Dinner Dance for participants and their families. Vanessa, a HeartShare participant for 16 years, receives help from her mother with her jewelry before the dance.

HeartShare's Family Support Program offers recreational activities throughout the year; the Dinner Dance is an event that brings participants from the smaller recreational groups together for one night of fun. For the dance Vanessa picked out a special dress and received a private make-up session.

Family participation is important to the success of the Family Support Program. Vanessa, accompanied by her mother and father, take in the beautiful decorations at Russo's on the Bay as they prepare for dinner.

The Dinner Dance allows HeartShare participants from recreation programs sites to meet one another. Vanessa hits the dance floor with HeartShare participant, Nicole Griffin, to show off her dance moves.

Vanessa looks forward to next year's Dinner Dance. She knows that the Family Support Program staff always makes the evening an event to remember.