{Photo courtesy Samantha Novick.}
While dancers look in the mirror, they see Jaime Guttenberg’s silhouette reflected as she drapes an orange ribbon above her friends. The room has orange chairs and butterflies painted on the ceiling.
The annual Jamie’s Dance Friends is a five-week session of fun and dancing on Saturdays beginning Saturday, April 5 at the Coconut Creek Recreation Complex. Friends will learn new moves, party together, and make connections.
A professional dance instructor leads Jaime’s Dance Friends in partnership with The Friendship Journey and the City of Coconut Creek in honor of Jamie Guttenberg, a victim of the Stoneman Douglas massacre in 2018.
“Each time we dance, share a laugh with friends, or spread kindness, we think of Jaime,” said Samantha Novick, president of the Friendship Journey, which offers inclusive experiences to create opportunities for individuals of all abilities to connect and grow as friends.
The Friendship Journey partnered with the City of Coconut Creek to use Jaime’s Room as a space for friends of all abilities to come together. The city officially changed the name of the space to “Jaime’s Room” in 2023, which included a special ribbon-cutting ceremony and plaque to honor Jaime’s legacy.
Novick started Jaime’s Dance Friends in 2019, following the Parkland Hearts project in partnership with HandsOn South Florida and the City of Coconut Creek, in which they beautified a room in the Coconut Creek Recreation Complex with a unique mural dedicated to Jaime Guttenberg.
Since then, hundreds of dancers of all abilities from the community have joined the experience. Dance classes usually range anywhere from 10-30 participants. You must be at least 4 to participate.
A typical dance class consists of a warmup, a structured dance routine, a game like limbo or freeze dance, freestyle dancing, and a cool down.
“Dance friends makes me feel included and brings me joy,” said repeat dancer Sabrina London.
Guttenberg was a student volunteer with The Friendship Journey who spent her weekends making sure her friends felt supported and included.
“She was passionate about encouraging her friends and making sure others knew that they belonged,” Novick said.
Guttenberg dreamed of becoming a pediatric physical therapist someday to continue making a difference in the lives of others. In addition to her dedication to inclusion, she was a talented competitive dancer; her favorite color was orange.
“There was nothing she loved more than spending time with friends and family and making others smile,” Novick said. “We lost Jaime in the Parkland shooting when she was just 14 years old. We honor Jaime through this program by creating an inclusive space where all are welcome and can express themselves through dance.”
The class is currently led by Jaime’s beloved dance teacher, Tara Goodman. On the final day, dancers receive a special certificate of completion while others cheer for them.
“Dance Friends is an opportunity for friends of all ages and abilities to move their bodies, gain confidence, make connections, and create lasting memories with friends,” Novick said. “There are endless smiles, laughs, and fun memories created during Jaime’s Dance Friends.”
This free activity will be held on Saturdays, April 5, April 12, April 26, May 3, and May 10, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Participants must sign up to become Friends at The Friendship Journey before participating in this activity. Close-toed shoes are required, and wearing orange is encouraged. If you have any questions, contact alex@thefriendshipjourney.org.
The Coconut Creek Recreation Complex is located at 4455 Sol Press Boulevard.
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