Dance with Us, Become Family
- Feb 28
- 5 min read
Muévete means “move,” in Spanish, but DSAL’s ¡Muévete! program could also stand for “movement”—a close-knit, community-led dance movement for health, joy, pride, diversity, collaboration, and empathy.
¡Muévete! was started by Coach Angie Gonzalez in 2016 when she heard about an opportunity to start a dance class at DSAL. Her energetic style of dance instruction was a perfect fit for DSAL’s health and recreation programming. Set to music from across Latin America ¡Muévete! is an hour of non-stop action suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The classes average more than 300 participants each month who find a caring, supportive community built on mutual respect and accountability to reach their personal goals.
Over the years, Coach Angie has built a dedicated following of participants who not only attend her classes but also volunteer by hosting social events and staging performances for the community. These events foster a deep sense of cultural pride and unity and bring residents together to celebrate tradition, fitness, and community building.
In 2024, Angie and her participants made a profound impact on the community by representing DSAL through a variety of meaningful initiatives, including:
Building Community Connections: Launching a Muévete-centric version of the National Coffee with a Cop initiative called Aguas Frescas y Alguaciles, fostering trust and understanding between community members and the Sheriff’s Community Oriented Response and Engagement (CORE) unit.
Empowering Immigrant Women: Piloting a partnership with Mujeres Activas Unidas (MUA) to create a safe space for immigrant women to discuss and find solutions to domestic violence, enhancing their well-being and sense of empowerment.
Promoting Inclusivity Through Dance: Offering dance classes for special education students at the Hayward Adult School, creating joyful, inclusive experiences that celebrate diversity and ability.
Strengthening Community Bonds Through Fitness: Collaborating with other DSAL fitness programs to organize joint classes and engage in DSAL’s women’s soccer program, fostering community and healthy lifestyles.
Connecting with Local Families: Engaging with families at the Hayward Promise Neighborhood’s Trunk or Treat event by providing valuable program information, strengthening community awareness and involvement.
Celebrating Cultural Diversity: Showcasing their talents at the Multicultural Fair at Ruus Elementary School and participating in the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Brenkwitz’s Resource Fair, highlighting cultural pride and unity.
Building Community Spirit: Performing at community events, including the Hayward Adult School’s National Night Out, bringing people together through the power of music and dance.
Nurturing Community Support and Care: Coordinating a Thanksgiving meal for Muévete participants and their families, fostering a sense of belonging and gratitude.
Demonstrating Compassion and Solidarity: Providing emotional support and care to a ¡Muévete! participant battling cancer, demonstrating the communities deep commitment to uplifting members during both good and challenging times.
These actions highlight the heart of Muévete – it’s about fitness, but so much more. Angie's group comes together throughout times of joy and hardship, celebrates all of our shared heritage, and helps us to uplift each other through real, lasting connections.
¡Muévete! classes are free! If you would like to experience what it feels like to be part of this joyful community, sign up to reserve your spot, and get ready to move!
DSAL Entrepreneur Tracie Cabezas, founder of Mama’s Papas, secures a brick-and-mortar location at the Birdhaus Beer Garden in Union City
Tracie Cabezas, a proud Bay Area native, has always felt a calling to be a chef. When she was a little girl, she could always be found alongside her grandmother in the kitchen, cooking and bringing family and friends together through food. As an adult, her lifelong dream of being a chef and creating her own food establishment led her to study at Le Cordon Bleu, a world-renowned culinary education institution.
Her culinary journey took her to the island of Oahu where she landed an internship at Duke's Waikiki and learned Hawaiian island-style cooking. However, with two small children to provide for, Tracie decided to move home to the Bay Area, put her culinary dreams on the back burner, and pursue a career in public education to provide stability for her family.
“I had a family, and I couldn’t put in the time to pursue my dream in the kitchen with two small children to care for. I couldn’t manage the long hours. That’s when I left the culinary field to work in public education.”
But when the COVID pandemic changed the world in early 2020, and things started shutting down, Tracie’s path shifted again as she lost her job and decided to get back to her roots and original passion. That’s when she learned about the support and resources provided by the DSAL Community Kitchen.
“I found out about DSAL’s commercial kitchen, applied, and ended up getting in. The price was right, and it was just 20 minutes away from where we were living. That’s where I created the menu for Mama’s Papas—a menu that is 100% authentic to myself. I’m Salvadoran American, and I have a love for island-style culture from my time in Hawaii. I learned how to make kalua pork, added that to my pupusas, and I expanded my menu from there.”
Today, Mama’s Papas is known for its vibrant, flavorful offerings, including crispy quesatacos with tropical salsa and slaw, street tacos, pupusas with pineapple curtido, and island sliders on King’s Hawaiian rolls. And if you haven’t tried her signature kalua pork pupusas, which were included in the San Francisco Chronicle’s prestigious list of the best pupusas in the Bay Area, now is the time!
“The dish is 100% a reflection of my life experience, my love for my Salvadoran culture, and my love for Hawaiian culture all fused together to create a fresh, new experience with a pupusa.”
Recently, Tracie learned that she was accepted to transition her successful pop-up business into an even larger dream – a permanent, brick-and-mortar location of her very own in the Birdhaus Beer Garden in Union City.
“Everything happened so fast, I haven’t had time to breathe! I’m still running a pop-up menu and taking things day by day. In the next few months, I plan to announce an expanded menu, something a lot bigger.”
Reflecting on her journey, Tracie credits a big part of her success to the support she received from the DSAL Community Kitchen—a crucial stepping stone in her entrepreneurial path.
“The DSAL Kitchen is a pivotal place in my timeline. I couldn’t do any of the things I’m doing now if it wasn’t for DSAL. I applied for and won a grant that helped me grow, and whenever I had a question, they would respond right away. I tell other business owners that DSAL is a great resource not just because it’s affordable, but because of the hands-on support they provide and how they help small businesses navigate the industry.”
Now, at the beginning of this new chapter in Tracie’s life, we invite the community to be part of the story – next time you’re in Union City, stop by Mama’s Papas at the Birdhaus Beer Garden. And tell someone you know with culinary dreams about the DSAL Community Kitchen, joining the movement of small, local businesses that are strengthening the fabric of our neighborhoods, one delicious bite at a time.
Muévete Participant Rosa is DSAL’s Athlete of the Month
Rosa has been participating in the Muevete program for four years now, and she is very dedicated.
She is a strong woman who has been through a lot of difficult things in life, but she is always moving forward. She helps all the time with our monthly cleaning, and any activity in the class.
It is a pleasure to have her in our class and as a part of our supportive and resilient DSAL family!
“The Muevete program has helped my health - socializing with my community during class is one of the aspects that is my favorite, and it keeps me motivated. As a result, my health has been better and I have lost weight. I even have less bone pain.
“The program brings us together as a community, and we organize gatherings which makes all of us healthier. I can see that this class motivates positive behavior in participants, which builds a safer environment for everyone.”
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