HOPE Services Hosts Another Successful ‘Dance Your Dream’ Event

Congratulations to Cindy Bray (front right in left photo), the founder & CEO of Hope Services, for the success of the nonprofit’s fifth annual “Dance Your Dream” event held Apr. 16, at the Wesley Chapel District Park’s Recreation Complex. 

Dance Your Dream is an inclusive, high-energy evening designed for individuals with special needs ages 14 and older. This year’s theme was “A Night at the Circus” and included dancing, food, games, entertainment, a raffle area, and a newly added Community Resource Room, offering access to representatives from local organizations that provide valuable assistance and support. 

Happy to make an appearance at this year’s event was published author Chris Angilella (right), who hasn’t let Asperger’s Syndrome stop him from self-publishing (and co-illustrating at least six books, including Oakley’s Sanctuary Friends and Speckle Delivery, which he was signing copies of at this year’s Dance Your Dream. 

Angilella’s books feature characters with special needs, which made him a great addition to this year’s event, which also included appearances by Elsa from “Frozen,” stilt walkers and multiple Chick-fil-A cows, since Chick-fil-A was again a major sponsor of the event.. 

All proceeds from Dance Your Dream benefit Hope Services’ Life Skills & Vocational Training Center, which provides hands-on, nationally recognized certification programs, including Culinary Arts, Construction, Customer Service, and more. To support Hope Services, visit HopeGetsJobs.com. — All photos by Charmaine George