FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — This year, the Central Valley Dance Festival wants to shine a light on the topic of suicide.<\/p>\n
The message: The Power of Hope.<\/p>\n
It’s an issue that hits close to home for founder Cristina Mendoza-Howell.<\/p>\n
“I know four people who are close to me who passed away through their own hands. One was 16 years old, one was 14 years old and one was 43 years old, and one was 75 years old. That really hurt me,” says Mendoza-Howell.<\/p>\n
She has been organizing the dance festival for about two decades.<\/p>\n
Through dance, CVD wants people to know they are not alone in their struggles.<\/p>\n
This year’s performance is scheduled for April 12th at the Fresno Veterans Memorial Auditorium.<\/p>\n
It will feature at least 12 dance groups, each showcasing different forms of the art form.<\/p>\n
Jesse Sanchez is the COO and has been involved with the group since he was young.<\/p>\n
“This event, for over 20 years, since I’ve been doing it when I was 7 or 8, we’re focused on the youth,” Sanchez says. “This actual event is going to be 12 and under are coming in for free because this year, suicide awareness is the number one goal we have.”<\/p>\n
Because through dance, they want to lift people out of the darkness.<\/p>\n
“Dance is a very powerful tool. The power of dance is that it is all-encompassing and inclusive, bringing them that glimmer of light,” says Mendoza-Howell.<\/p>\n
People who want to support CVD can donate on their GoFundMe<\/a>, so they can continue to build that space of hope.<\/p>\n For news updates, follow Ana Torrea on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2026 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n