US circus squad aims to keep inner city teens off the streets

TRENTON, New Jersey - A group of would-be circus performers in New Jersey's capital city are using unicycles, acrobatics and spinning plates to bridge the divide between poverty and privilege.

The Trenton Circus Squad brings children from ages 12 to 17 from both the struggling city and its wealthier suburbs together, using circus skills to give them a sense of belonging and a belief in their own abilities.

While teaching young people to be the ring masters of their own lives, the children also work on balancing on large balls and wooden planks, stilt-walking, trapeze skills, juggling and slapstick clown routines.