Like many veterans, US Marine Roman Baca wasn’t the same when he returned home from war. He served in Fallujah, Iraq from 2005 to 2006. His experience ravaged him with depression, anxiety, and anger issues. With the encouragement of his wife, Lisa, Roman decided to return to his formal dance training as way to cope. He found that dance helped him “reprogram” his mind and body. This led Roman to start Exit12—a New York based dance company that tells stories of war through dance and choreography. Exit12 also hosts workshops that give veterans and military families a way to confront the effects of war and share their experience.

Square
Published on Feb 28, 2019

“Exit 12: Moved by War” is the fifth film in Square’s For Every Kind of Dream series. See the other films at https://square.com/dreams.

SEE THE OTHER STORIES

We believe in an
economy that has room
for everyone’s dreams.

square
These are stories of everyday people chasing extraordinary dreams.


FEATURED STORY

Rockaway Beach

A diverse group of women has joined forces to support each other and grow their community. The Ladies of Business Rockaway Beach meet monthly and are, in part, responsible for a new business boom in Rockaway Beach.
Read More

Made In Iowa

Made In Iowa from Square on Vimeo.

In 2011, Webster City, Iowa, experienced a massive economic shift after the town’s large appliance manufacturing plant shut down. This left many jobless and impacted local business, including the closing of the town’s beloved, historic movie theater. But the community refused to let their town die—and “Made in Iowa” tells the story of how small business helped Webster City save itself. Every business starts with a dream.

See more stories at
https://squareup.com/dreams/webster-city

“Yassin Falafel”

“Yassin Falafel” from Square on Vimeo.

Yassin Terou fled Syria with a suitcase and a few hundred dollars. He knew no one in Knoxville, Tennessee, and he spoke no English, but he went there to rebuild his life and pursue his dream of perfect falafel anyway.

See more stories at
https://squareup.com/dreams/yassin

Sister Hearts

Sister Hearts from Square on Vimeo.

Maryam Henderson-Uloho spent thirteen years in prison in Louisiana, seven in solitary confinement. After her release she struggled to find housing or employment. She began selling secondhand goods out of a suitcase on a street corner in New Orleans. In just three years, she grew her business to a brick-and-mortar thrift store—one that also provides housing and employment for other formerly-incarcerated women. She calls those women—and her store—Sister Hearts.

“When I got out of prison, they wouldn’t allow me to open a bank account. I could not rent an apartment. I could not get a job. So I started just selling stuff out of a suitcase on the street corner. The first day I made $40. And I just kept doing that. Three years later, I have a 15,000 square foot thrift store and transition housing facility for other female ex-offenders.”

– Maryam Henderson-Uloho, owner of SisterHearts Thrift Store, New Orleans

See more stories at
https://squareup.com/dreams/sister-hearts

Lakota in America

Lakota in America from Square on Vimeo.

“Lakota in America” is the third film in Square’s For Every Kind of Dream series.
Genevieve Iron Lightning is a young Lakota dancer on the Cheyenne River Reservation, one of the poorest communities in the US. Unemployment, addiction, alcoholism, and suicide are all challenges for Lakota on the reservation.

For nearly a hundred years, it was illegal to practice Lakota customs. Now, the Cheyenne River Youth Project is working with young people like Genevieve to create a stronger economic and cultural future—and they’re using their Lakota heritage to get there.

See more stories at
https://squareup.com/dreams/lakota

Read More