Journeys of Hope Podcast - Episode Eight

In this episode of Journeys of Hope, Rebecca Solomon speaks with Kristina Leitenberger and Lori Lynch, the artistic directors of Artistry Dance Project (ADP). They discuss the mission of ADP, which goes beyond dance to foster community, compassion, and service. The conversation highlights their partnership with Blythedale Children's Hospital, the impact of their fundraising, including their role as the BAC 5K Walk/Run Title Sponsors, and the importance of instilling values of empathy and leadership in young dancers. 

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Key Takeaways:

1. ADP has raised over half a million dollars for BCH
2. Dancers learn important life lessons such as discipline, empathy, and accountability
3. ADP aims to inspire young dancers to engage in philanthropy

TRANSCRIPT

Rebecca Solomon (00:05)
Hello and welcome to Journeys of Hope, a podcast from Blythedale Children's Hospital, inspired by the strength, resilience, and unshakable spirit of medically fragile children. My name is Rebecca Solomon, and this is Journeys of Hope. Let's begin. Today's episode is truly special. I'm joined by two incredible women whose passion for the arts is matched by only their commitment to giving back Kristina and Lori are the artistic directors of Artistry Dance Project.

a dance organization that has made an extraordinary impact far beyond the stage. Through their leadership and the dedication of their elite and premier company dancers, Artistry Dance Project has raised more than a half million dollars for Blythedale Children's Hospital over the past decade.

Kristina and Lori are not only shaping exceptional dancers, but compassionate humans, teaching the power of art, service, and community. And I'm so excited to share their story.

their heart and the incredible impact they continue to make. Ladies, welcome.

Kristina Leitenberger (01:08)
Thank you so much. You're gonna make me emotional with that introduction.

Lori Lynch (01:09)
Thank you. I know. I know.

Rebecca Solomon (01:13)
I mean, it's the truth. This is what you guys have created and it's so unbelievable. And we're so thankful that you are a part of Blythedale I mean, really the impact that you've made on Blythedale is just exceptional. And I can't wait to dive into that during this conversation.

Kristina Leitenberger (01:29)
to thank you so much for having us it's an honor to be here we are humbled every time we we get a chance to have some sort of connection to Blanketdale so this is truly special thank you for having us.

Rebecca Solomon (01:42)
So for listeners who may be new to Artistry Dance Project, can you just share a little bit about how ADP began and what inspired its mission beyond dance?

Kristina Leitenberger (01:52)
So, Lori and I got together in early 2013 with this vision that would of course teach great dancing and ⁓ build these dancers up to become whether it's just a purely recreational dancer or go on to make this part of their professional ⁓ lives and careers. But truly the biggest undertaking also was making sure that we wanted to create a studio that could feel like a dancer's second home. We wanted dancers to feel like they had a community, they had a space to feel seen, to feel valued.

grow, ⁓ to have friends that could eventually turn into family. And I think over the past 13 years, we've really seen the evolution of that. But I think realizing that dance is...

the basis of what we all love to do and how we express ourselves as dancers, as performers is one thing, but how we can support one another and have a community that really helps raise these kids from, know, we start to get to know these kids as young as two, three years old and watch them graduate off to college is, it's a lot. It's a big responsibility, I think, that Lori and I take very seriously. And it's something that really fuels us.

through the tiring

the harder days, ⁓ but it's the little joys and the little moments in the studio.

Lori Lynch (03:21)
And I think just to add to her too, you've heard the expression of more than just dance and like we truly have felt it ourselves in our professional careers, but ⁓ it dance truly can shape people

lessons learned in the studio really we've seen firsthand be able to shape.

these beautiful little humans, ⁓ discipline, accountability, passion, empathy, all of these traits you really do learn in the studio. ⁓ So for us, that was always just as important to instill in our dancers.

just as much as the technique. ⁓ And I remember when we were picking out our name for our studio, artistry instantly came to the both of us. was something that just, it was instant. like artistry

embodies so much more than just technique. It embodies.

Kristina Leitenberger (04:25)
And I think project

in that we are all ongoing projects, right? As dancers and as humans, we're always a work in progress. We're always trying to better ourselves. We're trying to better each other. We're trying to better support one another. So yeah, I think the name kind of ties it all together nicely.

Rebecca Solomon (04:44)
It's beautiful. mean, the fact that your dancers love what they do as dancers, but then they grow up to be actually good humans, good people, and that you are instilling those traits in them and you're teaching them and showing them not in a deliberate, aggressive way, but in a natural, organic way on how to be these good people. That says so much and...

We need that more now than ever. So keep up the great work with that because we need ⁓ these little ballerinas turn good people in our world right now.

Kristina Leitenberger (05:09)
Totally agree.

Exactly,

exactly. Only, only, you know, handfuls of our kids will go on and study dance in college and make this part of their professional career, which we are so proud of. But there's also hundreds and thousands of kids that have walked through ADP walls that don't have those ambitions. And that's okay too. But we're here to provide that same experience for every dancer that walks through the building.

Lori Lynch (05:17)
Yes.

Rebecca Solomon (05:40)
I love that. Okay, well, how does your partnership with Blythedale begin in the first place? You know, what made you say, this is the cause we want to stand behind?

Kristina Leitenberger (05:50)
So I actually dating back to when I was in middle

had some connections to Blythedale and actually through my Girl Scout troop, ⁓ you know, did some collaborations and that was my first experience with it. ⁓ And I think, you know, when you're talking about hospitals and what goes on there, it can be really heavy, you know, it can be a lot for any kid at any age to walk into.

And I just remember being in middle school and walking in and feeling it was such a positive space. It was such a magical place. The kids were smiling. They were laughing. They were being kids just like I was at the time. ⁓ And so when Lori and I spoke BAC in, ⁓ you know, 10 years ago now and said, what can we do to create more of a holiday show that can resonate with our dancers and with our ⁓

ADP families. We wanted to find a place that we really felt could they could you know connect with in some capacity.

you know, we always have our expression kids helping kids. ⁓ just like our kids are, you know, their kids, they, they go to school, they go to dance, they do all their things. The children of Blythedale, just want to be kids as well. And I think when you walk the halls of Blythedale and you see that the kids are playing in therapy village, even though they're, getting their therapies, but their therapists are connecting with them and they are providing that same community that

and I want for our dancers, I think it's just like a really beautiful parallel. ⁓ And I remember the first time we reached out to like those, we have this idea, we wanna do a holiday show, we wanted to fundraise, is that okay? How do we go about this? I mean, we had a $5,000 goal in mind and they were over the moon. I was so not expecting to be met with that kind of...

incredible excitement almost and I thought this is is perfect you know I could see where this would just like light up for everybody it just made sense.

Lori Lynch (08:07)
think for us too, what a place to be right in our own backyards ⁓ is another, it was just hugely important to us because it's not like we were gonna fundraise for hospital that we wouldn't be able to know and just write a check, send it off. Like you can go there, you can meet the patients, you can meet the doctors and it really becomes a partnership more than just fundraising.

So we're so blessed to have it right

here, like 10 minutes down the road.

Rebecca Solomon (08:41)
Yeah. And I'm sure knowing

that Kristina, you had that early experience as a Girl Scout with Blythedale . then, know, Lori, when you, you, you, maybe you didn't even know much about Blythedale until Artistry Dance Project. And now Blythedale , there's a special place in your heart for them. So that's kind of cool knowing one of you has that older experience and the other one, you know, and here you are collaborating and bringing to life all the amazing things that ADP does for Blythedale .

So as artistic directors, how do you balance excellence in performance with the responsibility of teaching dancers the importance of service and giving back?

Kristina Leitenberger (09:20)
they really, they go hand in hand, right? They are their own entities, but also they strengthen one

have a number of different initiatives at the studio, ⁓ not just this one, but I think that every time the kids really dive in to any of these experiences,

as much as they give, they're getting back tenfold in the experience, in leadership, in understanding, in empathy, in all of these different things. And I think that...

once the kids like they dip their toe in and then they see they're like diving right in head first, know,

kid needs to find that experience for themselves and feel comfortable with it. And whenever they're ready, we're here.

to help them with that, right? ⁓ And then from there, watching that self-confidence grow in them and watching how all of these things, like they're not realizing it, I don't think, in the moment, right? But us as their teachers, as their directors, their mentors, and their parents, seeing how they're affected by it, you know, it's so tied in together. You can't help but have one affect the other. And then the self-confidence grows and they want to do more.

And it keeps compiling in a really positive way for them.

Lori Lynch (10:47)
when you see as they become...

bigger leaders saying in the studio, ⁓ it does directly affect their personal performances as dancers, just because like she said, I think the confidence is the biggest thing. And when you're given an opportunity to step up and mentor and lead, that only fuels your own strength to get out on a stage and be by yourself and.

command the room, command the stage. So they are really beautifully intertwined. ⁓ And this is why Blythedale are fundraising, but also our other initiatives at the studio, like we're so proud of, and we will always continue to have them and give more opportunities to our dancers. Because it really does.

Rebecca Solomon (11:41)
Absolutely. And it all goes here. Go ahead, Kristina.

Kristina Leitenberger (11:41)
I it also, I wouldn't say it also fuels

the community within ADP, right? Like the older dancers, yes, of course, they're a little bit more capable and capable of more understanding and capable of doing a little bit more, but our youngest dancers are just as capable in their own ways. And I think...

Lori Lynch (12:01)
this. ⁓

Kristina Leitenberger (12:02)
they see, ⁓ like it's not just adults that are doing this. It's kids that are, they may be four years older than me, but they're doing it so I can do it too. And it fuels like not just generation to generation, but like an 18 year old to a 14 year old to an eight year old, they're all doing it in their own capacities, but they're doing it because they see the excitement that's building. They see together what they can do. And I think,

the balance of, they see the kids that are putting themselves out there with and doing more and more in terms of the service and the philanthropy. And we have our ambassador program at the studio and they see those kids continue to elevate and they wanna do that for themselves. It creates, I was just gonna say, it creates a goal for them. It's the mentorship too. So it's a really beautiful tie in for sure.

Rebecca Solomon (12:48)
Yeah, it's like one of their goals without even.

Lori Lynch (12:53)
Yep, yep, yep, yep.

Rebecca Solomon (12:58)
Yeah, and

it all does go hand in hand. And I'm sure it even plays off when they're in school or when they're, you know, with their families or wherever they are outside of ADP and outside of their service work. It's that confidence you talked about that's going to help these young children turn in as they grow older and continue hopefully into the real world when they're adults. And it's wonderful.

So we're talking a lot about philanthropies and we know one of our favorite philanthropies at

Kristina Leitenberger (13:26)
you

Rebecca Solomon (13:29)
our annual 5k run

that we have in May, right? And Artistry Dance Project is the title sponsor of Blythedale 's walk. And I just want to know what inspired your team to step into this role and how does supporting children with complex health needs align with artistry's mission and values?

Kristina Leitenberger (13:48)
think, you know, Lori and I had participated in the 5k when it was a virtual event, being part of the BAC, we were, the Blythedale Advisory Council. We were also, part of the coordination of the event. And of course it was virtual cause of COVID times and, know, it was decided we're going to do this in person. And it just seemed like the total perfect pairing to truly bring our

two communities together. We have our ADP family and we have our Blythedale family. And by going in person with the 5K, it felt like the right move to sponsor the

know, we have our dancers perform on the day of the event as well.

can be present with the Blythedale

patients, the Blythedale doctors, the therapists, the staff that come and be a part of this incredible day. And it's not just our event that we do every year around the holidays, but it's the event with

a really tangible way to literally physically like converge our two communities

Lori Lynch (14:51)
It's fun to see.

our families, like the kids' parents, also fully participate in the 5K. You know, they're out there with their shirts and running and walking. I know on a personal level, like Kristina and I, like our sons go, our husbands go, like we're all there together with Blythedale and it, and everyone is participating. They're not just viewing the show, like the holiday show. So it really has become a very special day,

Kristina Leitenberger (15:18)
it's so great. We all have the same passion, right? We all want to give back and we all want to

⁓ even more than that, probably raise awareness of what a special place Blythedale is.

when you need it, you want to make sure that that Blythedale is there. And it's true. I'm sure so many people drive past Blythedale every day and think, that's just a hospital. But it's not. It's not on so many other scales, other ways. So the more that we can collaborate and come up with new ways to get the word out about Blythedale in the community,

think is super important. And that's what the BAC is all about. So we enjoy it.

a lot.

Rebecca Solomon (15:58)
and thank you for all you do on the BAC. you know, just in general, I think there's so many opportunities to support and help Blythedale and in so many different ways. And certainly if you're listening or watching this podcast and you you want to find out ways to get involved, you know, we'll get that information up for you on our website. But ⁓ it's just we are so thankful for all of our supporters and for people like you who really do.

you lend a hand in a way that doesn't seem like you have to do it. It's because you want to do it. And when you find out what Blythedale is about, as you said, it's a magical place. ⁓ It's almost like a no brainer. This is where you want to give back I mean, it's amazing.

Kristina Leitenberger (16:42)
I

think that's the biggest thing is that Lori and I didn't walk into year one of our holiday event and say, we're going to raise half a million dollars and become part of the Blythedale Advisory Council and be on a podcast one day. Right? Like it was very like, let's hope we can raise 5,000 and Lori and I looked at each other and we're like, well, if we only raise a thousand, like we're going to give 4,000. Right. So

Lori Lynch (17:03)
Right.

Kristina Leitenberger (17:04)
So, you know,

it started off so small and I think people, 5,000 even doesn't even need to be what it is. I think once you like, you just like kind of like I said before with our kids, when you dip their toe in the water, then they're ready to dive in head first because they get a little inkling of what this is. And, you know, they have the opportunities to visit Blythedale as well. And over the years, Lori and I have volunteered

have spent

time with the kids. We've done numerous, countless tours.

have been to the galas. We have

recorded our music videos there. We have packed Thanksgiving meal bags for the patients and families. There's so many different ways that people can get involved. Even if there's not a financial ⁓ something behind it, they can donate an hour of their time. can do all different things that I know are so

appreciated by Blythedale as well. And then I think it just becomes something that's almost just contagious. Like you just want to do it more and more. It's a very good problem to have. Yeah.

Rebecca Solomon (18:11)
It's a good problem to have, right? Thank you for sharing that. I do appreciate

Lori Lynch (18:13)
Yes.

Rebecca Solomon (18:16)
that. But at the end of the day, $4,000 turns into over $540,000 for the hospital. Over the past 10 years, Artistry has raised more than half a million dollars for the hospital. When you hear that number, what does that mean to you?

Kristina Leitenberger (18:35)
I mean, I think it's almost hard to fathom. We were, no, we were hoping at our 10 year show this year that we would bypass the 500,000 mark and.

Lori Lynch (18:38)
It is.

Kristina Leitenberger (18:47)
At the end of the event, we were filling out the giant paper check and I just had tears. I could not believe this past event in 2025 raised just under $80,000, $79,000 and brought us up to that $547 number. But beyond that, it's knowing that every dollar represents care and hope.

Lori Lynch (18:55)
See you.

Kristina Leitenberger (19:17)
for.

these children, for their families, and can make a difference, right? Can make an

Lori Lynch (19:26)
I know I see that number, still speechless, but it is more than the number what it represents. And as Kristina said, like, it's just a united front. And I also when I see that number, it's the the amount of people that have contributed.

to that number. Like over the past 10 years, I mean students and families that have graduated, that have moved on, that have been a part of this with us for the past decade, they're all part of that number. And like we could not do it without everybody diving in. And as Kristina said, like the momentum has just continued to...

to go, go, go, go, go, which is amazing. you look back and you're like, wow, there have been so many people that have been a part of this with us. And it's just as much their success as ours. And it is just truly beautiful. It's ⁓ you know, it's unity.

Rebecca Solomon (20:26)
And correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't some of your dancers gone on to work at Blythedale as well?

Kristina Leitenberger (20:33)
Yeah, so a number of our dancers, even ⁓ one junior in high school this year, have volunteered at Blythedale over the years. ⁓ Some have gone on then to work as nursing assistants as they went through nursing programs ⁓ in

one of our dancers is now an occupational

I mean, it's incredible that the dancers not only are moved by the whole experience,

but they then go on to make it their life's mission, you know, which is amazing, incredible.

Rebecca Solomon (21:05)
It's amazing and they would not have known to do that if it wasn't for Artistry Dance Project maybe. So you brought it out in them.

Kristina Leitenberger (21:12)
We're very proud.

Rebecca Solomon (21:13)
Now, just to give a little

Lori Lynch (21:13)
Yeah.

Rebecca Solomon (21:15)
context, proceeds raised from your annual holiday show specifically support Blythedale's Day Hospital program. And the Day Hospital, it's a specialty outpatient program for children who are able to live at home, but still require a level of medical and or rehabilitative care that cannot be met by their school or community outpatient program. So I just wanna know from you both, how does it make you feel knowing that you are playing such an impactful role in this Day Hospital?

Kristina Leitenberger (21:44)
think the Day Hospital is an incredible part of Blythedale It goes back to our true mission of community and family and these children that have these incredibly medically.

complex challenges that they are facing. ⁓ You know, sometimes they're ready to kind of get there, but they still need the support and the highly technical care that Blythedale can give them. And knowing that there's this opportunity to support those children and support those families ⁓ where they can get that highly specialized care that they truly need while also still having that support of their community at home and they can.

in essence go in and out, I think it's huge. And it gives them the same thing that we hope ADP gives our dancers is a second home, a second community, a second support system, a second family.

Rebecca Solomon (22:39)
Absolutely. ⁓ We know this past winter marked your 10th annual holiday show. We talked a little bit about that. And I'm just curious, aside from the amount of money that you've raised, how has the event evolved since year one? What makes it so special now? And I'm going to throw one more question at you. What are you hoping for the 11th annual holiday show? ⁓

Lori Lynch (22:56)
Hahaha.

Kristina Leitenberger (23:02)
It has certainly evolved. Actually, this past year, we did a little look back if you will, on year one to year 10. we started year one. The event took place within our studio in one of the dance rooms. And we had like 40 chairs set up. And the dancers danced. And we had some auction items that were pulled together. And we did our best.

Lori Lynch (23:04)
Yeah.

Yeah.

Kristina Leitenberger (23:28)
raised $38,000 instead of our goal of 5,000, which was awesome. Yeah, totally blew that one out of the water, which was amazing. But then we were like, wait, we have to kind of go bigger now next year. So yeah, so we did two or three years, I think, right, Lori, within our studio. And then that's when we moved over to Infinity Nightclub, where we posted.

Lori Lynch (23:32)
That really fueled the flame. That fueled the flame.

Yeah.

Rebecca Solomon (23:43)
Right.

Kristina Leitenberger (23:53)
the event every year since and Ed over there, the owner has been an incredible supporter of the event and we are so grateful for

And it's just gotten bigger and bigger and bigger and it's more auction items and the kids are more

They're auctioning off their own skills and talents, their babysitting hours and the families of younger students

you know.

being involved in these live auction moments, which makes the older ones feel special and feel empowered, which is

Lori Lynch (24:26)
that year one when we presented that check for $38,000, I think in that moment, like there was the realization of the power of community. And I think not just us being overwhelmed by it, but seeing that first group of kids experience that, seeing that first group of families experience like, my, they were like, we did it.

my gosh, we did it. And then we did it tenfold. And then we were just like, let's, you know, let's go. And and everybody has kind of jumped on the wagon, like Kristina said. And this year, especially, like everyone kind of knew we wanted to hit the half a million dollar goal. But it wasn't like, again, it wasn't the monetary value of it. Like the kids felt the energy of like, I think we can do it. We're going to do we're going to be a part of this 10 year celebration.

So at that check presentation, like, I mean, it was just very emotional. And I'll never forget the kids' faces when we revealed this year's check. They almost, everyone almost fell over, but then, you know, the realization again that like, wow, we did it together. We did it. So it's been a remarkable journey. No pressure.

Rebecca Solomon (25:40)
I can only imagine what the 11th year is going to hold. No pressure.

Kristina Leitenberger (25:44)
We're start

planning now.

Lori Lynch (25:49)
Yeah.

Rebecca Solomon (25:50)
Yeah,

Start brainstorming! And ⁓ aren't there some really fun, cute cookie jars that, right? That's like a fun little addition.

Lori Lynch (25:55)
All of the cookie towers.

Kristina Leitenberger (25:58)
Yeah, our dancers love,

over the years we've done different things, but we wanna make sure that the kids are having some tangible hands-on experience ⁓ with the event as a whole. yeah, this year they raised...

over $11,000 and

They make those cookie jars that have the premix. All you got to do is add the water and add the egg or whatever. ⁓ And yeah, so they make all of them. You know, we supply the jars and the flour and all the stuff, and then we all get covered in flour and sugar and sprinkles and &Ms. And we have a day and we put them together ⁓ as a team. And so I think we had over 100 kids here throughout the day ⁓ putting those all

together and they sell to family and friends and coworkers. And ⁓ each jar has a little tag about the Blythedale story and that connection. So it's a special opportunity for the kids to be able to, like I said, be so hands on in the

Rebecca Solomon (26:58)
So fun.

Lori Lynch (26:59)
do their own, which is like the most fun thing to see. Like they really take the time to be thoughtful about.

Kristina Leitenberger (27:01)
Right.

Lori Lynch (27:06)
What do I love? What is gonna really raise money and people are gonna be excited about and I can do it myself? And what a beautiful thing. Like it just again, goes back to giving them the confidence, giving them the leadership. Like it all ties back together.

Kristina Leitenberger (27:22)
was going to say that it goes back to that service and excellence, right? Like they stand

Rebecca Solomon (27:26)
It does.

Kristina Leitenberger (27:26)
there

and someone's bidding $500 on their, you know, hours of baby's nanny. It makes them feel good and makes them feel important and special and valued. And then that helps elevate them in a different capacity. And it's, it's this, you know, merry-go-round in a really good way.

Lori Lynch (27:28)
He's a little nerve-racking. Yeah.

Go.

Rebecca Solomon (27:44)
I love that. Okay, so we've talked a lot about your amazing dancers and their impact that they've had on Blythedale . But you know, how has this partnership with Blythedale changed you as leaders, artists, or even as women, as people?

Lori Lynch (27:59)
kind of just driven home the reality that every day is a blessing, you know, ⁓ being able to work with Blythedale, being able to go there, being able to see the kids, ⁓ having my own child, you know, like just.

knowing that we can help in a little way, a big way, like it just, does change you as a leader. I feel the responsibility and like, because I want the responsibility to pass that forward to our kids, because you can also, we've seen the results, we feel the results. ⁓ But I just, like, as a human, ⁓

It just brings it home every single time, the importance of life and how lucky we are, and that it is our duty to give back And I feel so lucky that Kristina and I have used our platforms in this way, you know, in a positive way, and it continues to change other people's lives. ⁓ It's just really a blessing,

Kristina Leitenberger (29:16)
it's always super helpful in getting Lori and I to kind of refocus on what's important. There might be trophies on our shelves and, you know, plaques on the walls, ⁓ but at the end of the day, like Lori and I aren't remembering who won that trophy and who did that, but what sits with us is... ⁓

and this is from our partnership with Blythedale is watching our kids evolve, watching our kids grow. And I think that I have a very specific memory of, it was about two weeks before my second son was going to be born, and I was walking the halls of Blythedale extremely, extremely pregnant, and we walked through the infant wing.

like I'll still get emotional thinking about it, but I couldn't keep it together when you're like that hyper emotional anyways, two weeks before birth, ⁓ but also seeing these incredibly fragile young children with their parents by their bedside, with their doctors, with their nurses, the staff, everybody around. And again, like you can look in a room and you see strong. ⁓

mother and father next to the bed. And you're like, how? But it's so much of what Blythedale does is they are uplifting. are showing the family that there is hope. They are showing that this is not your entire future. You know, like we're gonna get your kid home. We're gonna get your kid to that place that you want them to be, right? And they're doing that patiently.

They're doing that. I think when the families are really ready for that, and I think that is a very important part of this, but they're doing it in so many ways and they're giving them support, not just with their kid, especially, but their whole family. Maybe they have other children and I know the way that they have other siblings come into the hospital and how those siblings are treated and all of that. I think is what.

in that moment, I mean not that I wasn't all in already, like in those moments when you have something like that.

at Blythedale or volunteering at Blythedale, it just makes you realize like this is why we do it. if anybody else through the process, so to speak, of us, you know, having this partnership with Blythedale can feel that too, it's something that stays with you. It doesn't leave, it doesn't go away, it stays with you forever.

Lori Lynch (32:00)
I think the first time I went to Blythedale, like you think you're, you know, obviously you know you're walking into a children's hospital, but I think the thing that surprised me the most was the joy that is in that place. ⁓ And that's what another thing I would love if someone listening has never been to Blythedale. Like you walk in and you feel...

joy. Like you feel comforted. You feel like this is not a scary place. And it's, it's that's not normal. ⁓ So it is truly, truly,  you can't describe it unless you go and I encourage people to really take a step and visit if you can volunteer like because it is truly a special, special place.

Rebecca Solomon (32:48)
And to that point, I think it's safe to say that any of our families or caregivers who have a child at Blythedale they would agree with you. And I think when they're entering the hospital with a crisis or something that they think is the most terrible thing ever, and they soon realize how wonderful and joyful and hopeful Blythedale is. And you guys have seen that, and our families see that too every day. So, yeah.

Kristina Leitenberger (33:17)
There's no

doubt about it. You can't walk in there and not feel it. I mean, even just like the colors of the front lobby, right? You walk in and yeah. And I think that's also,

Lori Lynch (33:22)
Yeah.

Rebecca Solomon (33:24)
It's fun.

Kristina Leitenberger (33:29)
dancers, even this past November, we had 70 kids ages seven to 17 come and film the music video. And you think all of these kids walking into a hospital, like that can be emotional. That can be heavy. That can be, like I said,

but I think they walk in there

totally just aware they are respectful of course and I think that they they see what a special place it is

merging those two communities and how comfortable and how warm they all, you know, created this environment together was

really one of my favorite moments of the past 10 years working with Blythedale.

Rebecca Solomon (34:10)
So many amazing moments, but looking

partnership is only going to continue to grow, which is just exciting and unbelievable to think about. What is your vision for the future of ADP's relationship with Blythedale and your impact on the greater Westchester community?

Lori Lynch (34:13)
Okay.

Kristina Leitenberger (34:27)
we just want to continue to prioritize.

Blythedale's needs and continue to ensure that we can continue giving back

We want to inspire our kids to make that part of the forefront of something that they are thinking about or doing in their lives. And just continue to foster that sense of community, like within ADP, within Blythedale and together. I think there's so much more opportunity.

for things like

I think making everyone in Westchester realize that they can be a part of something

I think that's what Blythedale is also really exceptional at is finding what are you interested in and we're going to help you find that opportunity here. So it's not forced, it's not, you know, it's just exactly.

Rebecca Solomon (35:16)
one size fits all. Everyone has,

yeah, no, I get that.

Kristina Leitenberger (35:20)
Yeah, it's it's just genuine.

It's you want to be hands on here. You want to get involved with this project, you know, whatever it is. think Blythedale has just always been so

Who knows where it will go in another five, 10 years, but we're here for it and we're excited. It's been an amazing ride so far and there's only so much more that I could see continuing to evolve as we move forward.

Rebecca Solomon (35:42)
And if you could leave our listeners with one message about the power of art, compassion, and community coming together, what would it be?

Kristina Leitenberger (35:52)
⁓ I think truly just there's no limit. the sky is the limit, right? And, just like we tell our dancers, everything you're doing is so much more important than dance. It's so much more, it goes far beyond the stage.

your impact is

quite literally changing people's lives. And it is positively impacting and affecting these children, their families. And of course, the very important work that the doctors and the nurses and the staff are doing, it's allowing them to be their best selves for their

We're so proud of the ADP community and how everybody has come together over the past decade. We look forward to another decade and then some ⁓ of this

Lori Lynch (36:39)
you you always hear, you can make a difference, you can make a difference, you can make a difference, but just letting people know you can make a difference and us being able to be a part of that.

freeze and seeing it actually happen, it is true. So again, we feel very, blessed for our partnership with Blythedale and we are family and it's just incredible. It's an incredible thing to have.

Rebecca Solomon (37:09)
Well, the feeling is mutual and thank you for practicing what you preach, right? That says a lot. ⁓ I do have one more question for each of you and this is something I like to ask all of my guests at the end of our podcast. How would you describe the meaning of hope?

Kristina Leitenberger (37:29)
So for me, I guess hope is the ability to not put a limit on something, to understand what could potentially be ⁓ and make it happen. ⁓ Hope is the doctors, the nurses, the staff at Likedale. Hope is ⁓ walking in and feeling that support. But I think hope is

Lori Lynch (37:30)
this.

Kristina Leitenberger (37:59)
as a word alone, you by itself is ⁓ it gives us a sense of purpose. can truly make us focus and hope for the best, but also make that

Lori Lynch (38:17)
just to add to that, think hope, it's the belief that it can happen. It's the belief that there can be positive change. It's a belief, it's a feeling that fuels you to act upon whatever that thing is. So, it's a very positive word.

Rebecca Solomon (38:46)
I love it. You guys have given all of us at Blythedale hope and thank you for being part of the Blythedale family and a part of the community.

Kristina Leitenberger (38:55)
We're so humbled and so honored to be a part of it and we are so appreciative of Blythedale every day for allowing us to do what we can and be a small, small part of the amazing things that.

Lori Lynch (39:09)
Thank you so much.

Rebecca Solomon (39:10)
Of course, thank

you for your time on this

we hope everyone listening at home really enjoyed this episode of Journeys of Hope. Of course, if you have any ideas for future topics, we'd love to hear from you. Podcasts at Blythedale.org. And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast and like and follow us on social media. Thank you so much and we will see you next time.