HASTINGS, Neb. -- A partnership between a church and a dance organization is thriving in  Hastings.

Raices de Mi Pueblo was born about five years ago out of a need. 

Founder Maria Rubalcava said her kids were going through a deep depression. The answer: ballet folklorico.

“The suggestion from Family health and mental health was that I should form a group because we didn’t have one in the community,” Rubalcava said. 

Ballet folkloric dances and music represent different regions in Mexico and emphasizes local folk culture. They started practicing on the sidewalk of her house and that’s when the First Presbyterian Church in Hastings noticed them. 

“Some of the members noticed what we were doing," Rubalcava said. "They came and they just started practicing like any other student. Then, they had the idea of inviting us to practice at this facility. But they first had to asked Reverend Greg.”

Reverend Greg Allen-Pickett said they learned about the group and their need for a space to practice, so they lent them the space. From that, he says a beautiful partnership has grown.

“It’s so important that we love our neighbors as ourselves," Allen-Picket said. "And this is an opportunity for our church to love our neighbors by offering space for this group, and then also by learning from them.” 

Ten-year-old Esmeralda Lentz-Novoa has been in the group for a year and said learning Mexican folklore dances is challenging.

“So we went and saw a performance, and I was like oh my goodness that’s so pretty," Lentz-Novoa said. "I want to join. And then when I joined it was so hard because its not as easy as it looks.”

Raices de Mi Pueblo have performed at the capitol and at different places in Nebraska.

They practice every Monday and Thursday.