our "making a difference" report tonight is about kids. learning how it's done by a pro who never forgot where he came from. it allows him to share his talent with kids and teach them they can do the same thing and find hope along the way. the story tonight from nbc's natalie morales. ♪ 526 minutes >> reporter: while it's singing in harmony or dancing to the beat, for the past three years, he's taught a thousand kids in the new york city area to dream big. it's that dream that got louise from puerto rico to broadway. >> i got to find who i was

because of art, because of dancing, singing, acting. >> reporter: now as an assistant choreographer and dancer in the acclaimed "in the heights," he formed the nonprofit dancing group with his colleagues, giving free singing, dancing and drama lessons, especially for latino kids like him. >> i come from a poor family. this is what's fun for me. this is where i can feel safe. >> reporter: he teaches kids not only at its summer camp, but at schools where students have limited resources. like at mercy school in the bronx. >> the part that i like about dancing and acting, i get to express myself in a whole new different way. it's just, i just love it. >> reporter: these classes helped the once-shy come out of herschel. >> i let nobody knock me down, nobody tell me i can't do something. i just keep on going.

>> reporter: and they even take them to broadway. some theaters donate tickets to allow the students to see and experience the music and magic of broadway first hand. their motto, "dare to go beyond." this woman credits them to give her that courage to land gigs on her own. >> being like, oh, my god, these people made it. i can make it, too. >> they are learning from us, art and learning to be inspired, but we are learning it's 30b8 to make the change we wish to see in the world. >> reporter: changing children's lives one step at a time. natalie morales, nbc news, new york. and a quick update on the making a difference report from last night. a lot of my fellow dog lovers responded to our story about some folks who look after the pets of u.s. soldiers when they head off to war. so much so, in fact, the responses crashed the

organization's website as hundreds of our viewers, potential new dog watchers signed up to help their fellow citizens. that is our broadcast for this wednesday night. as always, we thank you for being with us. i'm brian williams. good night. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com how do we know how how mmany roads we need?e, the census helps us know exactly what we need, so everyone can get their fair share of funding.

we can't move forward until you mail it back. 2010 census.