Joy is an Act of Resistance
STOP the Stigma & Inequity
Marginalized Mental Health Matters
Marginalized populations are affected most by mental health issues because of colonialism, racism, discrimination, and other kinds of systemic oppression. We take this seriously. That’s why we are investing in JOY as a tool for justice: everyone has a right to care & concern in matters of mental health. We are excited about the power of joy, as an advocacy tool, to inspire positive change in mental health for marginalized communities. That’s where our commitment to mental health equity—to JOY Justice—comes in. We aim to serve marginalized populations where mental health challenges (lack of awareness, stigma, illness & inequity) are greatest. All human. Treated differently. We hurt. Similar AND Different. We heal.
Served Populations in Denver Colorado, USA
Most every Monday Susan Law, our executive director, attends Mutual Aid Monday where she sets up shop with her speakers and “Dork Energy” station, playing music and charging electronics for the unhoused. Read more about the need to charge electronics, and how Susan is meeting this need in the article below.
Unhoused Community
Migrant Community
Susan Law (our executive director) is spearheading our migrant support program. Through rent, medical, food, education, and legal assistance (and more!), Susan is tackling the social determinants of health to make sure our migrant neighbors are both physically and mentally safe.
LGBTQ+ Community
In 2024, Dork Dancing participated in its first ever PRIDE event. Also in June, Susan organized our very first “Dork Wedding” for a lesbian Venezuelan migrant couple (see articles above).
Served Populations in Da Nang, Vietnam
Dork Dancing with disability reveals ability. We work in partnership with CORMIS, a local NGO who serves the physically disabled population, by dancing with them. We dance with their ladies online and in person at home, at work, and on the beach.
Disabled
Deaf Children
We work in partnership with Central Deaf Services, a local school serving the student deaf population, by dancing with them each Tuesday during their summer classes, and sporadically throughout the school year.
Victims of War
Dork Dancing started on the beaches of Da Nang, Vietnam by an American. Rewind 50 years and Americans were invading these same beaches. This context cannot be ignored. History matters because it affects who we are, and what is happening, today.