TUFF KIDS will host Dancing with the Stars Cleveland on Saturday, March 21, at the Cleveland Civic Center, located at 210 Peach Avenue. The evening will feature live performances, a friendly dance competition, and opportunities for the community to support local youth programs.
The event’s presenting Mirror Ball sponsor is Neal Funeral Home.
Founder Eisha Jones said organizers hope the fundraiser will grow into a lasting tradition for the community.
“Our hope is to have this be a signature event this year,” Jones said.
Guests can expect a dance competition featuring local “celebrities,” a catered dinner, a silent auction and a cash bar. At the end of the evening, the dance floor will open so everyone can join in the fun.
TUFF KIDS has deep roots in Cleveland. The organization began as a promise among several Cleveland High School students who, during their middle school years, committed to one day returning home to create a safe, supervised space where children could learn and grow. That vision took shape in 2010 and has since developed into a nonprofit serving dozens of children each day.
The mission of TUFF KIDS is to develop physically active and healthy youth while encouraging academic achievement and personal growth. The organization serves children ages 7 to 18 and provides tutoring, mentoring, healthy meals, group discussions, physical education and leadership development opportunities. In addition to free summer camps, TUFF KIDS offers cooking classes, gardening programs and other enrichment activities designed to build confidence and life skills.
Over time, the organization has also expanded to support families. Staff members are certified to provide financial education and housing guidance, helping families better understand credit, budgeting and pathways to homeownership. Leaders say they plan to continue growing those services to meet community needs.
Jones said the organization also hosts barbecues and other fundraisers but hopes to increase the number of major events each year.
“We do barbecue and other fundraisers, but our hope is to have four events a year,” she said, adding that she wants TUFF KIDS to continue expanding and remain sustainable well into the future.
The idea for bringing a Dancing with the Stars-style fundraiser to Cleveland came from Gordon Williams, a Cleveland native known for his contributions to the filmmaking community. After participating in similar charity dance events in other cities, he introduced the idea to TUFF KIDS. Although early planning presented challenges, organizers revisited the concept last year and committed to making it happen.
Jones said she is excited about creating an event that brings different parts of the community together.
“I want to do something different to unify and bring unity to the communities,” she said.
This year’s dancers include Roscoe Warwick, James Wall, Monique McDuffie Brooks and Cynthia Silva. The choreographers are Gordon Williams, Daniel Chavez, Connie Allen Scott and Ebony Turner.
Organizers hope the evening will not only raise funds but also strengthen community support for a mission rooted in giving back to Cleveland’s youth.
Tickets are on sale now at https://www.tuffkids.org/event/dancing-with-the-stars-cleveland/
This is soooooooooo gay.