Local veteran shares his passion for dance with children with special needs

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY)-Francisco Campos always wanted to make a difference in his community. Campos said he saw the poor living conditions of children in the Middle East while on tour.

That's what prompted him to give back to children in the Imperial Valley.

"For me as a vet to come back and use that as a guidance as well. And give these kids something that most kids didn't have over there. And see these kids develop something and have it."

For months, Campos has volunteered his time at the House of Cultural Arts in El Centro, teaching hip hop dance lesson.

"You see these kids light up. You see these kids come in and put in a hundred and ten percent. And like I said. Just the smile that they have every day. The hug I get before they leave, the hug I get as soon as they show up. It's amazing. It's an awesome feeling. Wish everyone could experience that."

Recently the center has opened a new dance class for children with special needs.

Martina Bojorquez, whose 10-year old daughter has autism said the class has helped her child express herself.

"Well, just be patient. We push and strive every day and make them a better person. And help them in their everyday lives."

Campos added that the class allows children with special needs to feel included and helps them socialize with others.

"So there's no one person. It's all about the team effort. And now they're part of social group. That allows them to go forward and hopefully they use that experience. Like today you see that little girl leave and hugging every kid before she left calling them by name. That was awesome to me."

Campos said he's preparing students in his hip hop dance class to perform at the Mardi Gras Parade in two weeks.