Young dancers prepare to perform ballet folklorico, traditional dance, at the rec center, for a group of small girls who also want to learn. The youth who attend programming at the town's rec center come from Mexican or South American immigrant families, some are first-generation Americans. Performing the traditional dances provides a connection with their native culture.

The dancers twirl around to "El Jarabe Tapatio" (The Mexican Hat Dance) fanning their colorful skirts out and tapping their feet within the rec center's small interior.

After the regular dance instructor stepped away, two friends, 17-year-olds Sarah (left) and Daniela, stepped up to teach the younger girls. This was the first dance class that Sarah and Daniela are teaching, showing the younger girls some basic footwork and shoulder rolls.

Activities at the rec center are a limited few but provide something for kids to do. Town elders and leaders believe lack of meaningful activities force kids into trouble. The handprints of Tommytown kids decorate the side of a thrift store with a message calling for peace and an end to drugs. Outsiders believe Tommytown to be a dangerous place but police records show crime has been higher in other areas.

Margarita Romo, 83, is one of Tommytown's change makers. She established a clinic managed by the nonprofit, Farmworkers Self-Help Inc. which she founded. Romo is known by most of the community. She is looked to for help and guidance. Throughout her time as activist and leader, Romo has helped pass legislation, helped newcomers settle into homes, provided furniture and food. She's created a clinic, a community center and a church. The next step is a preschool.

Margarita's son, Pastor Bruce Edwards, hopes to welcome kids soon at the Norma Godines Learning Center, The preschool that Margarita sees as the next logical step toward progress in the community.

There are some success stories in Tommytown, like Angel Molina, 23, who was born and raised in the community. He opened Azteca's Barbershop on Lock Street, the main thoroughfare through town, and has remained there in spite of job offers from in larger cities.

Some residents choose to keep their children close and hope for the best. Rosalba Santizo, 51, opened up a fruit stand on Lock Street. Santizo is known as "the fruit stand lady." She has an entrepreneurial spirit and is used to offering advice along with produce. She and her husband run a tight ship, keeping their children busy with chores or taking them to work with them to keep them out of trouble.

Churchgoers worship at the Resurrection House Mission church, a Lutheran congregation led by Pastor Bruce. Teens help with music or sound production. On this Sunday both Bruce and Margarita were out so the service went forward with a volunteer replacement who read the congregation a message from the pastors; they were all strongly encouraged to attend the Sunday lunch following the service.

After the church service, Sarah and Daniela join others across Lock Street, from the Resurrection House Mission church to the community lunch at Resurrection Park.

Neighbors take turns making lunch from week to week which is served after church.

Families in need can also take home staples from the community food pantry. The donations are provided by the community for the community.

As Sarah and Daniela contemplate life after graduation, they enjoy activities like color guard at Pasco High School.

Twice a week the girls practice. Although they've experienced ignorant remarks from some of the other kids, like asking if Sarah was a chola (gang member), they love the activity. Most of the kids live in Dade City, where the school is located. Sarah and Daniela feel judged because of where they live.

After a long day of school, work and volunteering, Daniela, her sisters and grandparents unwind at their home on Lock Street. Daniela's grandparents, Catalina and Jose Morales, own a thrift store in Tommytown. The girls' parents work in the Florida Keys and visit when they can take time off from work.

Before bed Daniela works on anatomy homework in the room she shares with her sister Jaqueline. A junior in high school, she wants to become a forensic pathologist and has looked at schools out of state but worries about leaving her family, her community and her best friend.