That Gibney's troupe has long worked for the empowerment of battered women is reflected in the dancers' struggles, their uncommon resilience, the support one readily offers another.

- Eva Yaa Asantewaa, Village Voice

recharge+reconnect

recharge+reconnect - a free open movement class combining yoga, movement and breathing exercises for individuals living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. For information, click here.

Introduction

In 2000 Gina Gibney Dance launched the Domestic Violence Project. The first of its kind, this project was conceived to unite survivors of domestic abuse, who often have grave issues of self determination and autonomy with professional dancers, who through years of training have learned to control their physical environment with freedom and confidence.

Many times over this groundbreaking program has demonstrated that movement, physical awareness and creativity can play a remarkable role in healing trauma. The success of this program - a partnership with Sanctuary for Families and Safe Horizon - provided the context for Gina Gibney Dance to develop other programs that meet the needs of underserved populations.

Keep Moving, our youth-at-risk program, is underway again this year at Washington Irving High School. In addition, we are exploring a new partnership with Safe Horizon's Streetwork Project. The aim of Keep Moving is to help underperforming and seriously at risk youth gain coping and life skills and to imagine a more positive future.

Another new initiative, Moving the Community, will bring the healing power of movement to the Queens HIV/AIDS community.

The techniques that the Gina Gibney dancers have perfected in their work with domestic violence survivors are now being employed to help others to build esteem and lead healthy and productive lives.