JUNTOS Collective is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that uses dance to develop leadership and collaboration building in vulnerable communities. JUNTOS provides free dance workshops and dance performances from professional and pre-professional dance volunteers in select communities nationally and internationally. Each year, JUNTOS works with numerous organizations in Boston, New York, San Francisco/Northern CA, and internationally in Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, and Nicaragua. We collaborate with organizations such as orphanages, migrant safe houses, public hospitals, retirement homes, centers for HIV+ children, homeless shelters, and more.
About us
History
JUNTOS was founded in 2008 by Ailey/Fordham BFA student Joanna Poz-Molesky. Originally intended for a one-time international trip to Mexico in 2009, JUNTOS quickly expanded to an organization bridging performance, community outreach, and intercultural exchange. Today, JUNTOS conducts six volunteer programs from one-day outreach opportunities to year-long leadership work. JUNTOS continues growing each year: outreach trips, dance volunteers involved, collaborators, and workshops among many more aspects.
Mission
JUNTOS cultivates international community through shared dance experiences. Our professional and pre-professional dancer volunteers invest in our programs to provide dance opportunities to underserved communities. Working primarily with Latin-American based organizations, JUNTOS uses the art of movement to inspire confidence, self-esteem, and collaboration.
Vision
JUNTOS aims to provide all participants with tools to explore the capacities of their creative expression of dance in a safe space that fosters individuality, diversity and unity.
We strive to offer our volunteers an immersive experience, fostering globally-aware, service-oriented leaders. We target pre-professional dancers who are exploring the role of dance in society, and provide these volunteers with a platform to develop their language of dance within a global community.
With these volunteers, JUNTOS aims to provide dance exposure primarily to Latinx underserved communities, local and international, such as women’s safe homes, migrant and immigrant centers, foster homes, retirement centers, hospitals, and youth programs. Through movement workshops, we hope participants discover new creative expressions that invite and encourage confidence, self-esteem, and self-expression.
We seek to foster an international community by developing and sustaining ongoing relations, and by building a network of people from different backgrounds who will become creative leaders.
Community Alliances
JUNTOS works with many organizations in the United States, Mexico, and Central America. Listed are organizations JUNTOS currently has strong relationships with or are working on creating more in depth relationships with. This list does not include the various hospitals, small communities, or retirement homes we work with.
National
California
- The Janet Pomeroy Center, San Francisco – Community center for people with developmental disabilities
- The Raphael House, San Francisco – Aids low-income and homeless families achieve financial success
- Canal Family Support, Kid’s Club, San Rafael – Literacy program for youth at-risk youth
- Covenant House, Oakland – Homeless shelter that provides sanctuary and support for homeless and trafficked youth
East Coast
- Conciencia Latina, Copiague High School, NYC – after school program for recent immigrant teens that works to build community and acclimate youth
- Covenant House, NYC – Homeless shelter for youth
- KIND, NYC – Protects unaccompanied immigrant children
- Rosie’s Place, Boston – A sanctuary for poor and homeless women
- True Care, NYC – Retirement home
International
Guatemala
- Casa Guatemala, Itzabal – Foster home/orphanage and elementary school
- Hospicio San Jose, Chimaltenango – HIV+ center for children
- Los Patojos, Jocotenango – Alternative education program for youth
- School of the deaf and blind, Quetzaltenango, School for deaf and blind children
- CEIPA, Xela – Alternative after-school education program for low-income youth
- Education and Hope, Quetzaltenango – Alternative education program for low-income youth
- Aldeas Infantiles S.O.S., Guatemala City – Foster home + orphanage
- Fundación Margarita Tejada – Inclusive school including children with Down’s syndrome
- La Alianza, Guatemala City – Safe home for sexually abused teen girls
Mexico
- Community of Santa Maria Tlahuitoltepec, Oaxaca – Dance program with indigenous community
- Fracción de Juchitan de Zaragoza, Oaxaca – Low-income community
- Centro Cultural de San Cristobal, Chiapas – Arts-based cultural center
- DIF Jóvenes, Oaxaca and Chiapas – Safe home for youth
- DIF Atención Adultos Mayores, Oaxaca and Chiapas – Low-income retirement home
- DIF Atención a niños, Oaxaca and Chiapas – Foster home
- DIF Atención a mujeres, Oaxaca and Chiapas – Safe house for women victims of violence and abuse
- Hogar de la niña, Oaxaca – Foster home for girls
- Escuela de Iniciación Musical Santa Cecilia, Oaxaca – Alternative education music program for low income kids
- Hermanos en el Camino, Ixtepec – Migrant safe house
Nicaragua
- Casa Alianza, Managua – Rescuing youth from the street: rehabilitation + protection
- Fundación NITCA, Managua – After School program for low income kids
- NicaPhoto, Nagarote – After School program for low income kids
- Asociación Mary Barreda, León – Promotes and defends rights of children, youth, and women, fighting specifically for a life free of violence
- Hogar de niñas Madre Albertina, Granada – Orphanage and foster home
Staff
Board Members
Catherine Van Ness, President
Daniel Glaser, Board Member
Willard (Will) Mariano, Board Member
Joanna Poz-Molesky, Founder
In the news
Dance Teacher Magazine, June 2017
“In Training: Beyond the Footlights”
Dance Magazine, March 2015
Read the full article here
“Dancing Across Borders”
East Bay Express, 19 November 2014
“Connecting Cultures through Dance”
San Francisco Chronicle, 24 January 2014
“Presentan colectivo de danza contemporánea”
El Quetzalteco, 19 January 2013
“Compañías de Oaxaca y Nueva York en intercambio”
Noticias, 28 May 2012
“Fordham Conversations”
WFUV: 12 December 2009
“Art as Exchange: Director of JUNTOS Reflects After Mexico Trip”
Fordham University Observer: 23 September 2009
“A New Dance Program Comes to Fordham”
Fordham University Observer: 25 February 2009
Other:
“Dancing’s an International Language”
San Jose Mercury News, 27 September 2010
Across the Floor: “Bridging Cultures & Campuses”
Dance Magazine, January 2010
“JUNTOS: From NYC to Mexico City”
Fordham University Observer: 29 April 2009
“Trabajan JUNTOS por la comunidad”
El Diario: 7 April 2009