Prior to operating the Support Our Youth Program, Ms. Yolanda Ramirez founded and operated Unity Dance Studio on Main St. in E. Orange where she taught African, Ballet, Jazz & Liturgical (Praise Dance) for many years. The Unity Dancers alumni includes over 500 students from the East Orange, Orange, Newark, Irvington & local surrounding communities. As a testament to her work with children in the community, Ms. Yolanda was selected by Channel 9 to record a network TV commercial about her neighborhood which featured her dance studio (see video below).
In response to the increasing childhood obesity epidemic, Ms. Yolanda decided to segue from teaching recreational dance to fitness dance. To make exercising more receptive to children she created the curriculum for her "Fitness & Fun" program to include fun elements such as dance, jump ropes & hoola hoops along with the character, "Jumpy" whose colorful outfits, energetic personality and friendliness is adored by children. Kids love jumping with Jumpy!
In addition to operating the Support Our Youth Organization, Ms. Yolanda is an administrative professional with a background in marketing and the legal profession.
Ms. Yolanda is also a songwriter, she has produced her own reality show and is a self-published author.
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