For more than 25 years, Minds In Motion has been an integral part of Richmond Ballet's mission. Each year, the Minds In Motion (MIM) program reaches over 2,000 elementary school students in the Richmond region and beyond. The program was built on artistic director Stoner Winslett's vision to give back to the community through the memorable experience of movement and dance.

With Minds In Motion, Richmond Ballet creates a bridge for students, starting in fourth grade, to gain a greater understanding of themselves through dance, classroom curriculum, community partnerships, and professional performances.

The Covid-19 pandemic presented challenges across the nation for performing arts, but Richmond Ballet rose to the challenge. They created videos that teachers could use to energize their classes. These videos, which the MIM team distributed as gifts to every school system in Virginia, gave children opportunities to get active during what was unfortunately a sedentary school year. Minds In Motion also established a virtual.jpgage with live classes via Zoom as well as recorded videos and a variety of resources.

MIM offered some in-person outdoor classes and also created in-person instruction classes at learning hubs at sites ranging from churches and schools to YMCA branches. The MIM team also offered 20-minute virtual movement experiences each week to fourth graders.

As the world continues to return to normal, Minds In Motion resumes offering all fourth or fifth graders at participating schools weekly dance classes with professional teaching artists and musicians. A portion of the year is spent teaching students basic dance curriculum, followed by choreography for the culminating performance. Students work toward the performance as a long-term goal, an experience that builds confidence, perseverance, and creativity. Each year, Minds In Motion alternates between a content- or story-based theme.

Minds In Motion is the only program of its kind in the Commonwealth. It is comprised of year-long programs and summer camps in Richmond, Chesterfield, and Independent Schools. Its two-week residencies have reached statewide in Charlottesville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth, and internationally in Israel. The young dancers come together from all walks of life to jump, twist, shake, and stomp, and ultimately, share a transformative, meaningful arts experience together.

Richmond Ballet also got creative in the midst of the pandemic and for the first time presented The Nutcracker online during the 2020 holiday season. There were several options for people of all ages to view the beloved holiday production – from a recorded version to watch at home to Nutcracker gift boxes, "behind the curtain" interviews, and socially-distanced visits from Nutcracker characters. For 2021, Richmond Ballet is presenting live performances accompanied by the Richmond Symphony.

TowneBank is honored to support Richmond Ballet and to continue as the yearlong sponsor of Minds In Motion. "We are so appreciative of the support from TowneBank for our program," says Jordan Glunt, Minds In Motion director. "Our sponsors help us maintain our program so we can continue to reach children with the gift of dance." For more information, visit RichmondBallet.com.

Volunteers from across the country are mobilized each year for the United Way's Day of Caring event. This volunteer effort is a wonderful opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of local needs in the community. The TowneBank Family looks forward to participating in this annual event by serving a variety of organizations across our footprint in Virginia and North Carolina.

In partnership with the United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg, TowneBank volunteers helped assemble and decorate literacy kits that will be distributed to soon-to-be kindergarteners and their families. The kits contain supplies and resources students need to hit the ground running on the first day of school, like a pencil and pencil sharpener, notebook, and an age-appropriate book. The kit also contains information for parents and families to help promote success for their student, as well as a note of encouragement from the volunteer.

"The United Way is proud to count on TowneBank to be a steadfast partner and an ardent champion of kindergarten readiness for young people throughout central Virginia," said Aimee Bushman, volunteer coordinator for the United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg. "Today, we know that a quality early childhood education leads to a greater likelihood of success in life, especially for low-income children."

Last year, research revealed that one in six children enter kindergarten without the skills necessary to flourish in elementary school throughout the eleven localities served by the United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg. Thanks to volunteer power, the organization was able to distribute 2,400 literacy kits in 2020 and hopes to exceed that goal again in 2021.

TowneBank is proud to work alongside the United Way on Day of Caring and throughout the year. To learn how you can get involved, visit their website: YourUnitedWay.org.