HOPE Services Hosts Another Successful ā€˜Dance Your Dreamā€™ Event

Congratulations to Cindy Bray (front right in left photo), the founder & CEO of Hope Services, for the success of the nonprofitā€™s fifth annual ā€œDance Your Dreamā€ event held Apr. 16, at the Wesley Chapel District Parkā€™s Recreation Complex.Ā 

Dance Your Dream is an inclusive, high-energy evening designed for individuals with special needs ages 14 and older. This yearā€™s theme was ā€œA Night at the Circusā€ 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 yearā€™s event was published author Chris Angilella (right), who hasnā€™t let Aspergerā€™s Syndrome stop him from self-publishing (and co-illustrating at least six books, including Oakleyā€™s Sanctuary Friends and Speckle Delivery, which he was signing copies of at this yearā€™s Dance Your Dream.Ā 

Angilellaā€™s books feature characters with special needs, which made him a great addition to this yearā€™s event, which also included appearances by Elsa from ā€œFrozen,ā€ 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 Servicesā€™ 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. ā€” All photos by Charmaine George 

HOPE Services Hosts Another Successful ā€˜Dance Your Dreamā€™ EventĀ 

ā€œThis is a dream come true,ā€ says Cindy Bray, executive director and founder of Hope Services, Life Skills & Vocational Training Center, reflecting on the success of this yearā€™s annual ā€œDance Your Dreamā€ event. 

Dance Your Dream was designed to offer a free prom-type experience for individuals ages 14 and older who live with disabilities, starting four years ago with just 80 attendees, Dance Your Dream has become an annual tradition that now brings together the community in celebration of hope and support. This year, the event saw 300 attendees at Wesley Chapel District Park on Apr. 26, where the gym was filled with music, laughter, and dreams coming to life. 

Chick-fil-A provided delicious meals (and the Chick-fil-A cows) that added warmth to the night, and the event featured music, games and a 360-photo booth.Ā 

A highlight of the evening was the surprise guest, Raiqwon Oā€™Neal, the offensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneer (#75), whose presence brought joy and excitement, lifting the spirits of everyone in attendance. ā€œHis message and meet-and-greet were the perfect way to start the night,ā€ Bray said.Ā 

ā€œThe smiles and laughter in the room were priceless,ā€ says Cindy Bray. ā€œMy heart is full of all the joy we shared that night.ā€ 

With 22 years of experience, Cindy founded Hope Services, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization contracted with the Department of Education/ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Serving 10 counties within a 50-mile radius from their location at 5426 Land Oā€™ Lakes Blvd., Hope Services offers life skills and vocational training to individuals living with disabilities. To support Hope Services, visit HopeGetsJobs.com.