Key Member Spotlight: Charlottesville Ballet
Emily Hartka and the Charlottesville Ballet have been such wonderful friends to Miriam’s House for many years. Last year Emily joined The Key, our group of monthly donors and helped us reach our goal of 100 Key Members in 2021! Emily gives in honor of the Charlottesville Ballet, and her advocacy, generosity, and impact means so much to us. We reached out to Emily to learn more about her and why she is committed to our mission to end homelessness in Central Virginia.
Charlottesville Ballet Co-Directors Sara Clayborne & Emily Hartka
MIRIAM’s house (mh): Tell us a little bit about yourself!
Emily Hartka (EH): I am the Co-Founder/Co-Director of Charlottesville Ballet, which is the Resident Dance Company at the Academy Center of the Arts. I grew up in Roanoke, then attended the Virginia School of the Arts and graduated from E.C. Glass High School (Class of '05). I went on to Richmond Ballet, where I met my business partner Sara Clayborne, and we founded the Charlottesville Ballet in 2007 as a nonprofit professional dance company dedicated to changing the narrative and the stereotypes in classical ballet. We hire dancers of all body types and backgrounds, and we believe that dance is for every body.
MH: There are so many great nonprofits in the community. Tell us what made you choose to support Miriam’s House?
EH: I love the work that Miriam's House does, especially serving women and children facing homelessness. I make my small personal gift in honor of the Ballet, and every time Charlottesville Ballet's professional company performs at the Academy Center of the Arts, we fund complimentary tickets to those who would not otherwise be able to attend a show. Miriam's House has been an incredible partner and gives experiences to local families to enjoy some holiday magic at The Nutcracker or a fairy tale classic like Cinderella. Seeing real ballerinas is so magical for young kids, and this partnership with MH over the past 7 years has made me realize what a truly special organization Miriam's House is.
MH: Why do you choose to give monthly?
EH: As a CEO of a nonprofit myself, I understand first-hand that nonprofit organizations rely on donors who give consistent, monthly support. These members (like those of The Key) are truly the lifeblood of an organization who make an impact every day, month after month, and year after year.
MH: Anything else you would like to share with the broader community to inspire them to join The Key?
EH: I sometimes wonder if my small donations can really help, especially when the need is so great right now...but remember: even just $5 a month can help change lives in Lynchburg!
When not helping to end homelessness in Lynchburg, I can be found:
Partnering with other nonprofits and creating shows at the Academy that bring our Lynchburg community together!
We had a big goal in 2021 to reach 100 Key Members and we are proud to share that we now have 112 monthly donors who have generously committed to ensuring that everyone in our community has a safe place to call home!
Members of The Key, like Emily, have committed to financially supporting Miriam’s House through a donation amount of their choosing. This support ensures that hundreds of homeless families and individuals are given not only the physical key of a home but keys to independence, opportunity, and safety.
This transformative group of givers, is empowering individuals and unlocking homes and hopes for our most vulnerable neighbors, and we are so grateful.
