Own Hope is the inspirational true story of a woman who moves to New York and joins the Circus Arts program as a teacher to young performing artists. Author Marianna Marra, a therapeutic recreation specialist, has inspired and worked with children for more than half of her life. Her funny and heartwarming anecdotes about her own life and the lives of the talented children she influences along the way will take you on her remarkable journey of hope. As a teacher of dance, vocal music, drama, poise, and etiquette, Marra recalls the moments when the children visibly leaped forward to achieve more than they could ever have imagined. Through her patient words and the universal language of dance, Marra shares how she taught these children, who had already seen much adversity and pain in their young lives, how to dream, develop their appreciation for each other, and pursue life with tenacity and perseverance. Own Hope will empower you to explore how you can make a difference in the life of another person, ultimately encouraging them to first believe, then hope, and, finally, make their dreams come true.