Suenos y Esperanza sings and dances way into 7th year

LYNWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- A group who uses singing and dancing to help those with special needs celebrated its seventh year of making a difference in Lynwood.

The group Suenos y Esperanza, or Dreams and Hope, held a red-carpet event on Sunday with princes and princesses making a grand entrance.

"They feel accepted and they feel welcomed they feel that they have a place where they can go," Martha Contreras, co-founder of Suenos y Esperanza said.

The group meets once a week in Lynwood and participants take center stage showing off their karaoke skills and dance moves.

Suenos y Esperanza began with just a couple of parents seven years ago, but now has more than 150 families coming together.

"When he started coming, he had major behavioral problems, but now we haven't seen any," Maria De Santiago, whose son Alberto participates in the group said.

Many who sing and dance said they're happy to make more friends.

"It changed my life and now I'm talking to more friends and everything," Jessica Hernandez of South Gate said with a smile.

Some participants even find love.

"I like to sing and dance and meet pretty girls," Oswaldo Jimenez said while sporting a stylish crown.

Parents with the group encourage others who have children with disabilities to come out and celebrate their differences. Many parents said the children teach them about themselves.

"They have a lot of talents, a lot of strengths that they help us to be a better person, be humble, be ourselves, and to teach us how to love," Contreras said.

If you'd like to learn more about Suenos y Esperanza, click here.