FLORENCE, Ky. – For many families, affording ballet lessons is often a luxury.

But a non-profit group in Northern Kentucky and the greater Cincinnati area is making efforts to turn that around.

Alexandria Calderon, 7, is just one of 500 girls taking part in Princesses Ballet.

The dancer lives in a small home packed with people in Florence, Kentucky.

Alexandria's mother, Carey, stays at home to take care of two families. They rely on a single income to run the household.

She said they normally wouldn't be able to afford the classes.

“Being free is awesome. Of course cause you know I have 12 people that I take care of,” Carey Calderon said.

Every week, they make the drive across the river to Cincinnati to train with Gordon Havens who started Princesses Ballet in 2003.

“About 8 girls when we started the thing,” Havens said.

Princesses Ballet is a program offered through a non-profit organization and Christian Ministry called the City Gospel Mission.

“Our focus for ballet, for Princesses Ballet is to give opportunity, primarily, to lower income kids who can't afford ballet. Ballet is expensive,” Havens said.

Through ballet, the girls develop character.

“It's rewarding to see girls come in here and learn how to really focus and concentrate and get those tools for success such as discipline and hard work,” Havens said.

That same reward also is shared by families.

“You know it's more than just ballet. It's a family after you get in there for awhile,” Carey Calderon said.

Several times during the year, the Princesses Ballet perform at 20 to 30 events throughout the greater Cincinnati area.