In the heart of a bustling city, there lived a kid named Jose Antonio Vargas (Antonio). His parents were always preoccupied with their own lives, leaving Antonio to navigate the world largely on his own. At a young age, he bounced around between various family members’ homes, never really settling anywhere for too long. But amidst the instability, Antonio found solace and passion in breakdancing.

It all started one day when he stumbled upon a group of kids in the neighborhood, spinning and flipping on a piece of cardboard laid out on the sidewalk. Fascinated, Antonio joined in and discovered his natural talent for the art form. With determination and grit, he honed his skills, developing his own unique style that turned heads wherever he danced.

As he grew older, Antonio became a fixture in the local breakdancing scene, traveling from youth center to youth center, participating in battles, and teaching others his moves. Breakdancing became more than just a hobby for him; it was his lifeline, keeping him focused and out of trouble in a world where it was easy to stray down the wrong path.

But Antonio wanted to do more than just dance. He wanted to give back to the community that had embraced him and helped him grow. So, he decided to open his own community center, a place where kids from all walks of life could come together, learn to breakdance, and stay off the streets.

Unfortunately, financial constraints forced Antonio to shut down his beloved center. But he refused to let that deter him. He continued to find ways to teach kids the art of breakdancing, often hosting impromptu sessions in parks or anywhere in the community.

Then, nine years ago, Antonio met the love of his life, Mary. She shared his passion for helping others and supported his dream of reopening the community center. Together, they had a son named Sariel, who, at the tender age of seven, is already showing promise on the dance floor.

With Mary’s unwavering support and Sariel’s enthusiasm, Antonio decided to give his dream another shot. In January of 2024, he found a location inside the Oklahoma Avenue Lutheran Church and reopened his community center with renewed determination.

The center quickly became a hub for the local breakdancing community, offering classes, workshops, and open practice sessions for dancers of all ages. Antonio poured his heart and soul into the center, grateful for the opportunity to continue giving back to the community that had given him so much.

As Antonio watches Sariel and the other kids spin and flip across the dance floor, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and fulfillment. He had come a long way from the kid with no place to call home, and now, he was making a difference in the lives of others, one dance move at a time.