Meaningful Movements, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization serving children and adults who are differently abled.

Meaningful Movements is committed to offering quality developmental, dance and exercise classes for both children and adults. Meaningful Movements is also committed to spreading the concept of differently abled rather than disabled. At Meaningful Movements, we look at a person's strengths and needs. In a positive environment, all are encouraged to use their unique abilities to their fullest potential. As the program director always says,

"Our purpose is to entertain, educate and encourage all people to be the best that they can be."
-Michele Campbell, Director

Please call for more information about the programs or to request performance information.

Meaningful Movements
6 Godwin Plaza
P.O. Box 294
Midland Park, N.J. 07432-0294
201.612.9725

20th Anniversary Letter

It all started in 1989 when Meaningful Movements, Inc. opened its doors to children and adults who are differently abled. Michele Campbell, Founder and Executive Director, was a full time teacher, working with children with autism, when she founded the program. Many parents shared concerns that their children had no place to go after school or had any opportunities to play with other children. Michele heard these concerns and took action. Meaningful Movements began with only nine students in a room rented by the hour at a local YMCA, but now, twenty years later, about 100 students come every week to the sunny studio in Midland Park. For twenty years, Meaningful Movements has been a cultural oasis, encouraging artistic self-expression for differently-abled people. Providing dance and social classes for people ages three through adults, this organization serves students with a variety of challenges including autism, cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida and developmental disabilities. The Meaningful Movements Senior Dance Company was born in 1995. In 2004, the Meaningful Movements Junior Dance Company was formed. Both troupes hold true to their mission to Entertain, Educate & Encourage by performing at rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, universities and residential facilities as well as at other various community events. The Meaningful Movements Companies celebrate diversity through music and dance. The Senior Company has performed all over the east coast including three performances at Disney World in Orlando Florida. Additionally, Michele has developed a volunteer side-by-side learner program. It started with St. Luke’s Religious Education Center in Ho-Ho-Kus over 12 years ago and has expanded to include youngsters from nearby communities. These side-by-side learners come to weekly classes to lend an extra set of hands and eyes. With ease, these volunteers learn the joy of diversity and the connection with new friends while becoming the background fabric of the quilt of this program. The culmination of the year is a recital, with students and side-by-side learners performing on stage in front of a packed house. Meaningful Movements has always been committed to spreading the concept of being differently-abled rather than disabled. Michele looks at a person’s strengths and needs and creates a program allowing the person to be the best that he/she can be. Continuing that mission to give back, the children and adults at Meaningful Movements also serve others in need through a special relationship with the Foster Parents of Bergen County. One year for the holidays, the staff asked the students to bring in gifts for the teens in the in the Foster Parents of Bergen County instead of for them.  A “wish list” from teens living in foster homes was posted at the studio and the program has been part of the holidays at Meaningful Movements for thirteen years now. It is safe to say that it has become a tradition! Did Michele Campbell know what she was getting into went she left her full time job to pursue a dream?  “Definitely not” says the director;  “I just kept telling myself the same thing I told my students: you never know what you can do until you try”. If you pass pass by the Meaningful Movements studio, you might think that it is just another storefront. Upon closer inspection you’d spot star curtains and some activity inside. If you take the time to peek inside, you would marvel at what exactly takes place there and how this program has touched so many lives. Meaningful Movements has been inspiring so many people for the last twenty years. All who have had the privilege to be part of that history have been encouraged to look at life and at people from a new perspective. When we do, we all are surprised at what we see!