Moving Mountains For The Arts,

Aaliyah Roberson

Moving Mountains was founded by Jamie Hector in 2007.  Jamie wanted to provide a safe place where inner city youth could spend time creatively, in a supervised space where they could find the training, encouragement and support they needed to pursue their dreams.  For many this meant keeping them off of city streets out of harms way of violence, drugs and negative outcomes.  

Who:  MM serve youth from 10 to 21 years of age, from underserved communities in all five boroughs attend MM, and children from 6 to 14 years old attend summer camp. 

What:  MM programs run year round with free training in drama, dance, vocal, creative writing and film making, professional and personal development and academic support is provided when needed.  A full day summer program is available for youth from 6 to 14 years old.

Why:  Jamie grew up in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn.  An area like many NYC communities where we witness disturbing stories on the news each night of children surrounded by violence, guns, bullies, hunger, poverty, and poor/failing schools.  Even working parents can not always afford to pay for classes in drama, dance, or music.  The teens are often left to fend for themselves and with no where to go and nothing to do they find themselves getting into the negative activities that have taken over inner cities.  MM  provides a much needed positive place where kids can come to find the support, encouragement needed to grow to be successful community minded adults.

MM films uses, original short films to open a much needed dialogue on issues that youth face such as violence, gangs, drug use, peer pressure and other issues with young audiences that benefit from an opportunity to discuss how they feel.