Every generation hopes to teach its young people to respect others, work hard, and stay out of trouble.

Volunteer Phong Vo has found success teaching those principles using a 1,000-year-old tradition. Vo uses Chinese lion and dragon dancing. Both have long been an expression of joy and happiness. Now, the dances also help build self confidence for Colorado teenagers.

Vo founded the Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center. It is a club, where Coloradans age nine to 21 learn the ancient art of lion and dragon dancing, and so much more. "Learning about the Chinese culture and how it influences the Vietnamese culture was really eye opening for me because I never knew about that stuff. Through this I definitely know a lot more about myself," said team member Dao Than.

As Phong Vo puts it; "My goal is to try to keep the kids out of trouble."

Vo is a Denver Sheriff's Deputy. Working at the Denver city jail he sees far too many young people choosing the wrong path. To make a difference, he formed the heritage center in 1995. "I want to bring them in and help them out. Volunteer to help them become a good citizen so they don't go out and do bad things outside," said Vo.

None of the students pay a dime to be members. The group uses the profits from performances to pay for costumes, transportation, and meals.

The team members work hard. They are required to give up every Friday night to practice, do well in school, and above all they must learn to respect others.

Vo said, "Parents come in and say: 'Thank you, thank you for teaching my son, my daughter to be a good person. They are different now.'"

"He has taught me a lot of patience. He had a lot of patience with me when I first joined," said Team Member Dion Wan.

"He can be tough at times, but very sincere," said Team Member Nghia Lou.

"I think he is very giving because he does teach us for free. It is something not many people would do," said Team Member Mandy Wong.

Team Member Gina Lafferty said, "And it's not only the lion dancing, he teaches us about respect and culture and a lot of other things."

To learn more about the Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center click on www.cachcdragonlion.org.