El Batey offers cultural dance and percussion classes for both kids and adults. Participants learn the rich history and connections of their African and Indigenous descent through these cultural expressions called Bomba and Plena. Students also learn about their responsibility to their community and their people all empowered by a strong connection to Puerto Rico’s rich traditions and history.
Our center also offers a selfdefense class twice a week based on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with a focus on self control and anger management. While learning techniques to protect themselves, kids and adults examine principles that help to remove fixed mindsets and replace it with language using growth mindset language in relation to their abilities, attitudes, humility, courage, and skill challenges. Last, El Batey offers weekly social emotional lessons that focus on teaching kids and their parents nonviolent communication. Together the family learns the skills to express themselves honestly and to empathically receive difficult messages. Skills that are necessary for long term healthy relationships within a nuclear family structure. With over 50 members alongside community partners and parents, this organization in recent years has strengthened the social fabric of the our community moving them from social isolation to caring and being connected to their roots and each other.
