2011 Highlights
* 40,008 Students reached with our program
* 10,833 Students reached in 2011 alone
* 1,858 More students reached in 2010
* 314 Outreach hours partnering with organizations
* 28 Teens on BreakDown STL mentored and trained to be positive peer role models
* 1 Person needed to make a difference

History
Originating in Arizona, by Aimee Dobbins, BreakDown is now an international organization comprised of 6 chapters in the US and teams in 12 countries around the world. BreakDown STL, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, was developed in 2006 by Executive Director, Jenna Imergoot. Performing every month in middle schools and high schools throughout the STL metro area reaching teens through multi-media performances. Consisting of high school and college students who have decided to take a stand and live a life of integrity by making positive life choices; students are inspired to stop up and make a difference in their own lives, and the lives of their peers. BreakDown STL reaches thousands of students each month during the school year as well as reaching teens in churches, youth groups and civic organizations throughout the calendar year.

What We Do
The BreakDown STL team performs at no charge to public and private middle and high schools, churches, youth organizations and hospitals around the St. Louis region. BreakDown’s high energy, raw and emotional dance and drama performances reach teens where they are, using the speaking style and multimedia effects that grab their attention. From there, BreakDown STL educates, entertains, challenges and inspires teens to make positive life choices regarding sex, relationships, drugs, alcohol, self-harm, bullying and suicide, by providing preventative health education.

Since its inception in 2006, BreakDown STL has performed at more than 40 schools, churches, youth organizations and hospitals around the St. Louis region, reaching over 40,000 teens with their program. Post presentation surveys indicate that 80 percent of teens who see a BreakDown STL presentation feel they have more knowledge to help them make better decisions, with 83 percent saying the performance led them to think about how their choices will affect their life and future goals.

Our Performances
Through music, various forms of dance, drama, inspirational speaking, video and more, teens are engaged, educated, and entertained as they learn the truth about consequences and are encouraged to make positive choices in their own lives.

Dance
Using today’s music and hip hop dance moves, our amazing dance team sets the pulse by visually engaging the audience with professionally choreographed moves. Although the media is quick to portray abstinence as boring and outdated, the BDSTL dance team engages and inspires as they present abstinence as a cool and realistic choice for this generation.

Drama
Our drama team takes the audience on an emotional roller coaster ride concluding with a challenge for teens to live life without regrets. Using storylines based on real life situations, teens are educated about the consequences that can accompany sexual promiscuity, drinking and drug use. Free from judgment, each scene encourages and inspires young people to make wise choices and live a life of integrity socially, physically, intellectually and emotionally.

Motivational Speaking
Serving as a liaison between the audience and the performers, motivational speakers challenge shock and awe the audience with real life stories, facts and statistics. They serve as a reality check to the audience and empower them to live life at a higher standard.

Multi-Media
By integrating video segments of young people sharing their real life stories, audience members are encouraged to explore their own hearts regarding sexual activity, drugs and alcohol. The video segments include real people who have experienced negative consequences but then changed their lives for the better. Because we feel this message is so important, we strive for performance excellence. To ensure a polished, professional appearance, BreakDown STL travels with its own technical team and equipment, including state of the art lighting, sound, and video. Our teens deserve to have a strong message of self-control, hope and freedom.

The Bottom Line
Our message is about HOPE Hope that young people always have choices. Hope that it is never too late to start over. Hope that the good choices they are making will eventually pay off. Hope that they can reach their goals and dreams by choosing wisely today. And hope that they have people who care about their lives and futures. Our message is for the HEART. We want teens to feel valuable, worthy of respect and deserving of dignity. And our message is about FREEDOM. Freedom for young people to follow their dreams and live life without regret. 

Contacts
Jenna Imergoot
Founder and President
BreakDown STL
16105 Swingley Ridge Rd. #165
Chesterfield, MO 63006
314.570.7625
jenna.imergoot@breakdownstl.org

Terri Kraham
Vice President Operations
BreakDown STL
16105 Swingley Ridge Rd. #165
Chesterfield, MO 63006
314.960.7625
 terri.kraham@breakdownstl.org