Each Saturday during the month of April, Chris Hixson and his team from The Passing Academy (www.thepassingacademy.com) could be found training the young men who participate in the programs of City of Refuge in northwest Atlanta. Rather than the well-groomed grass of more inviting fields, Chris and his team chose the asphalt and concrete of the inner city to share their experience and knowledge with 10 to 18 year old boys with little access to this level of athletic skills training.

Hixson, founder and director of The Passing Academy, joined the many volunteers who have chosen to invest their time and talent into the lives of the youth at City of Refuge. The Passing Academy is one of the most advanced skill development programs for quarterbacks and skill positions available in football today. The academy specializes in training for young men ages 10-18 and is operated by former professional football players who know their stuff, including former Falcons wide receiver Michael Haynes. In addition to great coaching ability, Hixson and Haynes bring a life coaching aspect that is priceless. Along with developing football skills, their goal is to teach a discipline that is applicable in every area of life.

The four weeks of training were of incredible benefit to those who participated, with Coach Hixson and Haynes commenting on the rapid development of every student. Pastor Greg Washington, director of youth programming for City of Refuge, had nothing but high praise for the well-run and effective academy. “This is exactly the type of opportunity our young men need to realize the potential they have to succeed if they are willing to work hard”, said Washington.

Hixson and Washington are already at work planning a summer passing academy to offer this unique opportunity for development to even more young men from the inner city.

City of Refuge will be hosting the first CORE Dance Delight on Wednesday, April 27 at 5:00pm with their friends the Atlanta Ballet through the Ballet’s Centre Dance outreach initiative. The event will take place in City of Refuge’s 180º Kitchen and will include dinner sponsored and catered by “The Chef”, Jason Ellis, Celebrity Chef of Atlanta and Hell’s Kitchen: Season 7 Finalist, as well as dance performances featuring CORE After School students and special guests. The students are excited to display their increased ability and understanding of dance for the community.

Atlanta Ballet’s Centre Dance program, offered as an enrichment opportunity within the City of Refuge CORE after school program, holistically strengthens elementary and middle school children academically, physically and emotionally through a comprehensive approach that provides a safe and encouraging environment for growth and self-discovery.
Centre Dance integrates kinesthetic learning techniques into standard academic curriculum, providing an alternative learning environment for students to explore their creativity. Designed to encourage self-expression and social awareness, students experience dance instruction from a highly qualified dance educator in their after school environment with their peers. Most students are experiencing dance for the first time through this initiative.

Centre Dance addresses three major needs of the underserved metro-Atlanta schools:

1. Exposure and involvement in a cultural activity
2. Additional support for academic needs in a non-traditional classroom setting
3. Development of a physical fitness regime

All children who participate also experience an abbreviated performance and a special behind-the-scenes look backstage at one of Atlanta Ballet’s Kids In Step programs. For many, this is the first live theatre performance. Scholarships are awarded to children in the program with the drive and discipline to further pursue dance education at Atlanta Ballet’s new Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre or the Buckhead and Cobb satellite locations. The impact of scholarship demonstrates how Atlanta Ballet connects to and supports the community, investing in students potential and helping families provide their promising young dancers with the best possible opportunity to excel.

CORE began its partnership with the Atlanta Ballet in August of 2010 with a cooperative desire to harness and focus the energy of 1st through 8th graders by teaching the art of movement. The Centre Dance program offered a wonderful opportunity for students to express emotion constructively and become more disciplined. Benefits of the program have been evident with improvement in both the attitude and behavior of CORE students. They have all grown individually and as a community, expressing excitement and passion for dance. As a result, a lot of real talent has emerged through the learning process. Three students recently performed in the Atlanta Ballet’s Ballet Ball and one continues to dance with them at various events.
It has been a wonderful journey this year as wallflowers have become confident young dancers.