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Testimonials

  • “I thank all of you so much for your insights and talent in providing a program that teaches girls to love and support each other during the years that schools and the world throw negativity at them. The warmth that my youngest daughter receives tends to spread throughout the family.”

  • “This program had a truly amazing impact on my daughter. She had been in such a dark place previously for so many months. Praise from her workshop leaders really built her up. Thank you for this opportunity. It was more than I expected—I had hoped my daughter might manage; instead, she blossomed.”

  • “Our family discovered AIR when our daughter was in 8th grade. It was truly a blessing to learn that a FREE program designed to empower teen girls to explore positive forms of self-discovery in a safe and supportive environment existed in our community. It was a challenging time for our family. My husband had been laid off and the stress of our financial situation was taking a toll on all of us, particularly our impressionable teenage daughter who longed to be in theater classes, take dance and express her individuality in whatever way she could. Escaping to her own place where she could have strong female mentors, learn creative thinking, be exposed to cultural enrichment and know that no matter what your personal circumstances; you are worthy, beautiful and strong, was inconceivable to me. I was surprised and grateful to know that such an organization existed. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to those responsible for making it possible. “
    — A Grateful Parent

  • “AIR will make you feel loved/special/talented/a STAR!”

  • “AIR is the best arts program I’ve ever been to! Trust me, you will NEVER regret it!”

  • “Participate in AIR and you will feel confident, empowered, creative, happy and surrounded by love. Do it!”

  • “You will make so many new friends, and you’ll be proud of yourself forever!”

  • “AIR is a blast! I never want to miss out on any AIR programs again!”

  • “At AIR, girls are: free, confident, beautiful, united, learning, growing, inspired, loved, fun, focused, ambitious, dreamers, teachers, friends, treated like we matter, like we can change the world, like what we can be what we aspire to be, encouraged, enlightened, happy, positive, powerful, phenomenal.”
    - Kelsey, age 15

  • “At AIR, girls are: the cherry on top of the sundae; important, loved & respected; treated with respect and given FREEDOM to be enthusiastically confident; encouraged to do THEIR personal best, to try their hardest, and to face their goals head on, all with confidence and a smile.”
    - Mel, age 13

  • “Before joining AIR, my daughter was really struggling at school and at home. At AIR, she made new friends and was able to talk to caring adults. AIR became something she really looked forward to. This program is amazing for girls and on top of that, it’s free. I could never afford dance classes or summer camps for my daughter on my own, but it really helped her! Thank you so much for this incredible gift!”

  • “My husband recently lost his job, so I was thinking that we wouldn’t be able to afford any sort of camps or programs this summer for my kids. When I heard about this program from the school, I said, ‘thank you, thank you, thank you!’”

  • “All of AIR’s programs are made possible through the support of generous individuals, organizations, foundations, and corporations who believe in empowering young women through the arts. Please support the young women in our program with a generous donation today. Thank you!”

  • "I like AIR because of the non-judging, flexible, supportive, relaxed atmosphere in which I can express myself through the performing arts."

  • "AIR is a good place to take safe risks."

  • "AIR is like a second family, everyone supports everyone and I am able to be myself without fear of judgement."

  • "Every time I've participated in AIR I have gained more confidence and overall feelings of awesomeness."

  • "I like AIR because the sense of being part of a team.  The fact that everyone gets a chance--no auditions or try-outs."

  • "I like the attitude and support that comes from all the girls and the practice of bettering myself through the programs as well as helping better others."

  • "Join! It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

  • "Take a risk and try it."

  • "AIR helps you to connect with other girls in your area and beyond.  The leaders are fantastic, and the girls you meet are awesome and become lifelong friends.  You realize you aren't the only one with problems and struggles in your life.  You're not alone."

  • "PLEASE DO IT! AIR is honestly the greatest thing in my life! It allows you to try your hardest and have fun without any gossiping and whatnot."

  • "During AIR, I learned to cooperate and adjust to different types of personalities and work well with them."

  • "During AIR, I learned not to be ashamed of my voice and to be confident in myself."

  • "During AIR, I learned to be a phenomenal woman and to speak loud."

  • "During AIR, I learned that trying new things can lead to new discoveries about myself, my life, and the world."

  • "During AIR, I learned I can express myself freely and have discovered the arts are a good way to express emotion."

  • "During AIR, I learned how to embrace myself for exactly who I am and how to appreciate each weird quirk."

  • "During AIR, I learned that no matter what there is always someone that supports you."

  • "During AIR, I learned how to be more self-confident and present myself with pride."

  • "Please join the program! It's super awesome! You're encouraged, you have fun and music is everywhere!"

  • "Do it! It will bring out your true self."

  • "GO THERE! SAY YES! YOU WON'T REGRET IT! It's sooo AWESOME! They actually got me on a stage, and I really sang! I would go here for the rest of my life if I could."

  • "During AIR, I learned leadership skills, how to work as a team, music theory, and patience."

  • "During AIR, I learned I am very talented and a true artist."

  • "During AIR, I learned to be me, no matter what.  If I make a mistake, laugh it off, and act like it was a part of what I was doing.  Don't look down, and don't look back."

  • "I always feel free at AIR and know I have people who support me."

  • "After meeting girls at AIR, I no longer feel I am alone in my problems and struggles."

  • "I feel I can go to an AIR adult if I need help or advice."

  • "AIR encourages me to make friends who will be positive influences on me and respect me."

  • "AIR helped me realize the importance of being a positive role model."

  • "AIR taught me the value of working through conflict using conversation, instead of gossip, bashing or being aggressive."

  • "AIR has helped me gain a better understanding of who I am and what choices are good for me."

  • "I feel more confident after participating at AIR."

  • "I believe that my words and my creativity are powerful and important."

  • "AIR taught me to express myself and my creativity in a positive, healthy way."

  • "Because of AIR I feel more motivated to try new things."

  • "Because of AIR I think that dance/theatre/art can be used to inspire people and promote hope and strength."

  • "AIR helped me feel more hopeful and positive about my future."

  • "AIR is a wonderful program.  It provides opportunities for her to gain experience that we could not afford to provide for her."
    -parent of an AIR teen

  • "We are not able to afford arts training presently and we believe AIR has filled a tremendous need in our daughters' lives!"
    -parent of AIR teens

  • "I am a 51 year old woman who went to my yoga class last week, and our teacher read us a poem and said it was created by a teenager in AIR. The poem was about yoga, and soul, and transformation. Everyone was very moved by the poem; it was astounding. So, I thought I'd post this on the wall and just say that every truly authentic gesture made from the heart reaches out in ways you may never know about. You guys are changing your own world, and ours, one artistic voice at a time. Thanks, AIR!"
    -Pamela Wallace

  • "AIR is one of the most amazing things in my life, and it has changed me drastically (in a good way) as a young adult."

  • "AIR is a wonderful program - there is no other way to put it.  I think everyone has a place here, no matter who they are!"

  • "Your program has been a gift sent from angels and - seriously - you ARE making a difference and I KNOW that years from now -- what you've done for my daughter will still be having a positive effect on her.
    Gratefully yours,
    Terry", parent of an AIR teen 

  • "Thank you for doing what you do for and with AIR. The confidence and bright light I see in the girls’ eyes grabs my heart. You are helping to change the world. Through the individual girls participating now, the implications for their families, their future families – relating to their own daughters, their peer influence, their knowing the impact they have on their own communities is vast. What if every girl could have the opportunity to know how extraordinary she is? The world would shift. That is totally inspiring to me, and I want to do whatever I can to support that."
    - Dr. Kimberly Higney, cardea center for well-being

  • This is an AMAZING organization that has brought so much joy to my daughter!! Go AIR! - AIR parent

  • AIR gave me a place to not feel judged when I perform or create my own visual art. - AIR teen

  • Arts In Reach is a great connection to help our youth! The arts and mentoring they get is fantastic! AIR is making a difference!  - Richard Smith, Cuzin Richard Entertainment

  • Read what AIR Alumna are saying about AIR!

    "My experience with AIR really helped me to exercise all of my talents. Not only was I able to meet new friends and try new things, but I was able to acknowledge the potential I already had. AIR helped me with my self-confidence tremendously! I never knew how artistic I was until I joined the program. I truly feel that AIR made me the artist that I am today."

    "Every facet of this program was, and is, incredible. Not only did the workshops and summer programs help me to forge new connections, they strengthened my confidence as an individual and a performer/artist immensely. The support, morale, and messages of self-worth and power that AIR gives to girls are so valuable! Through the programs I became more connected to my artistic capabilities (especially my love of singing), and to myself."

    "AIR gave me the tools to explore and cultivate my own creativity and humanity. We are always faced with choices, some more difficult than others, and finding what resonates most with our own souls is what ultimately works. Nowhere in my life has this been more evident than during my time at AIR."

    "I was in this program way back when they first started out. Some of the best times of my live with some of the best girls ever." 

    "I am so happy to see how much AIR has grown since I was a part of the program…. AIR Has affected me still to this day….I think back on my days of Jr. High and how much things have changed, and how positive the program had been on my life. I just wanted to say thanks and I still think of you to this day and how the two summers at AIR really made some of the best summer memories!"