In the heart of Bedford Stuyvesant is a dance group called the Restoration Dance Theater Junior Company. The company accepts kids from the ages of 8 to 14.

The dance program is part of the larger Restoration Plaza. It was founded in 1967 by the late former US Senator, Jacob Javits and Robert F. Kennedy. It is located on 247 Herkermer Street in Brooklyn. Peggy Alston is the director of performing arts at the Restoration Plaza. The center uplifts the community in economic, cultural, and academic activities.

Artistic, academic, and personal development is the focus of the Junior Company¹s work. There is cultural value and historical value in their dancing, and the dancers must learn the history of the piece before they can perform. The Company wants the performers to know why they dance, to value themselves, and to know who they are so that they can have high self-esteem. The Company touches on every subject including life skills, and tries to find out what the students value and what they care about.

At the restoration, there were some eager people who wanted to talk about how they feel about their beloved restoration. The first person was a student. His name is Shihan Barbee, age 13, and he attends J. S. 258. He works in the Rite Center What he likes about the program is the academic assistance and art that is provided for him. The program helped work harder in school, and it also helped him with his future career as an architect. He learned about this place from from his art teacher. He has been here for three months and plans on staying here for two years. The program has taught him techniques in art, the internet, and how to use the computer.

Another student that is part of the Restoration Dance Theater Junior Company is Bijan Dendtler, age 11, and she attends Packer Collegiate Institute. What she likes about the program is how it gives her the chance to challenge herself. She has been dancing since she was four. The program shows her discipline and responsibility. She wants to go into prfessional dancing so she must be prepared. Her mother told her about the place as they went shopping. She wants to stay here for a long time.

The Restoration Dance Theater has a far reaching effect. The Company performs in the community and creates a domino effect because people talk about their experiences. For instance, the Company danced at the American Museum of Natural History during a Kwanza special, and this is where HarlemLive first saw them. Their Kwanza dance is one of the celebrations they want others to care about the most.

The Company has a few funding sources. The Restoration Center is now however creating their own company so that they don¹t have to rely on certain sponsors. .Besides the dance theater, there is a Skylight Gallery and the Billie Holiday Theater. The Restoration Building has many activities in which youth and adults can participate. There is also a RITE Center, which one can join at a reasonable price. However, members of the youth leadership program can use the technology for free.