The DREAM Program, a youth-based village mentoring organization - NEWS & PUBLICATIONS

Two DREAM Alumni Complete Bike & Build Trips

2012-09-27T11:13:00.002-04:00

Bike & Build is a cycling program dedicated to supporting affordable housing across the nation. Or, it is an affordable housing advocacy program that uses cycling to engage and empower young adults. Either way you look at it, Bike & Build has a mission and vision for affordable housing that inspires many young people by offering them the rare opportunity to cycle across the United States, advocating and raising funds for affordable housing-related causes as they go.

Recently, Caity Patey (Birchwood / Champlain College DREAM ’10) and Andrew Lassiter (AmeriCorps / Camp DREAM Land& Resource Manager ’11) both completed cross-country cycling trips with Bike & Build. Their journeys brought them to towns like Mountain Home, Ida., Rugby, ND, and Avon Lake, Ohio. Their experiences with Bike & Build also allowed them to raise over $4,000 each for the cause of affordable housing.

“Most people along the way treated us amazingly well,” said Caity. “At one point, we were staying right across the street from a water park, and our hosts gave us massages”.

DREAM was generously granted $7,500 from Bike & Build this summer to help with our Local Programs in Chittenden County, Vt. Another $1,000 was allocated to DREAM through discretionary funds that Andrew and Caity were each allowed to spend as Route Leader and Participant, respectively.

Learn Moreabout Bike & Build. Visit Caity’s trip blog, or Andrew’s trip blog.

DREAM Wins Bill Russell Mentoring Grant

2012-05-17T13:23:00.000-04:00

DREAM, along with Generations Incorporated and Adoption andFoster Care (AFC) Mentoring, was recognized recently as a recipient of the first ever Bill Russell Mentoring Grants. The grants, developed by the The Bill Russell Legacy Project along with the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation and Mass Mentoring Partnership, were thoughtfully devised to carry on Celtic legend Russell’s passion for youth mentoring. All three were awarded to mentoring programs in the City of Boston. In total, the grants amounted to $51,300.

DREAM will be using its share of the funds to expand its summer internship and adventure programming for elementary and middle school aged mentees in Lower Roxbury.

DREAM would like to send a most gracious thanks to the Bill Russell Legacy Project, Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, and Mass Mentoring Partnership for making this possible! We are proud to carry forward Bill Russell’s vision for healthy, productive mentoring relationships in Boston.

To view the press release from the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, click here.

Teen DREAMers Make The Most Of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

2012-01-31T11:02:00.003-05:00

Volunteering on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has become a tradition in DREAM. On January 16, eight mentees ages 13 and up from our Local Programs across Vermont came together for a day of job skills training, team building activities, fun and games.

The day kicked off with sessions focused on developing job interview skills and filling out applications to a variety of businesses and organizations. Teens and staff then worked on creating resumes and lists of accomplishments to highlight their skills and interests. An extended brainstorm period allowed teens to structure part of the upcoming DREAM Teen Retreat, an overnight event in which participants take part in facilitated discussions on issues including healthy body image, sexuality, and career planning. Finally, the teens and staff learned about making healthy food choices with a fun and energizing scavenger hunt competition in a local Shaw's Supermarket.

On its National Service Blog, Corporation for National and Community Service CEO Robert Velasco, II states that over a million high school students drop out each year, and one-third of all students do not graduate on time. “The problem is even more severe among African American and Latino youth, and those from low-income backgrounds... at the root of the problem is the fact that many of these young people do not have the benefit of a caring and committed adult in their lives.”

CNCS, the government program that also over oversees AmeriCorps, is the national coordinator for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Serice. DREAM teens and staff were just a few of the thousands of volunteers, including President and Mrs. Obama and Vice President Biden, who chose to spend their holiday volunteering for causes important to them.

DREAM is committed not only to pairing our youth and teens with caring adult mentors, but also providing them with enriching activities outside of their weekly mentoring program. We believe this dedication to service to children of all backgrounds from low-income neighborhoods would make Dr. King proud.

Check out photos from our Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service by clicking here!

DREAMers Honored During National Mentoring Month

2012-01-26T10:43:00.001-05:00

For the 11th year, the President has declared January as National Mentoring Month. President Obama issued a proclamation on January 3, beginning "Every day, mentors help young Americans face the challenges of growing into adulthood. By setting a positive example and sharing their time, knowledge, and experience, mentors play an essential role in preparing our Nation's youth for a bright future."

Despite all the benefits of youth mentoring, the President went on to note that only about three million children in the United States have mentors; a fraction of the 15 million in need of "a caring adult mentor in their lives."

In honor of National Mentoring Month, Mobius Mentors, a Chittenden County youth mentoring advocacy organization, holds an annual Thank Your Mentor Breakfast. This year's presenters included Senator Patrick Leahy, and Burlington Chief of Police Michael Schirling. Molly Mulcahy and Amer Avdagic, both mentors from our Elm St. program, were among the volunteers recognized throughout the morning as Molly received an Honored Mentor award and addressed the crowd with her mentee, Noah.

DREAM would like to thank Mobius for putting on this special event, and to Senator Leahy, Michael Schirling, and anybody who supports youth mentoring during National Mentoring Month.

Boloco 12 Days of Giving

2011-12-19T16:42:00.002-05:00

For the second year running, DREAM has been selected to be one of the twelve organizations sponsored by Boloco’s 12 Days of Giving campaign. Members of DREAM’s Central Office will be on hand at the Boloco restaurant on Church Street in Burlington on Wednesday, December 21 from 12-3pm to hand out information and answer questions. During the campaign, sponsored organizations are featured for one day, and receive 50 cents from each burrito, salad, wrap, or bowl sold on that day.

Boloco, whose tagline is Inspired Burritos, is a Boston-based restaurant chain with a strong social conscience. DREAM has partnered with Boloco several times in the past for donations of their healthy wraps and delicious burritos.

Learn more about Boloco by vising www.boloco.com, and be sure to check out DREAM on Wednesday, December 21!

DREAM's 10-Year Celebration

2011-12-06T17:00:00.002-05:00

The crowd of over 60 that gathered in the beautiful West Monitor Barn in Richmond, Vt. set the scene for a very memorable evening. The made-to-order, crackling fresh crepes were a nice addition, as were the hot drinks on the seasonably chilly mid-November evening.

But the thing that truly stood out from the “Dessert Before Dinner” celebration were the feelings of excitement and warmth generated by giving to a wonderful cause.

DREAM has always had a unique ability to bring out the energy and enthusiasm of people of a variety of ages. In most cases, this is to prepare them to lead groups of children in games or adventures. In the event of DREAM’s 10-Year Anniversary, the focus was on what the program had accomplished and the lives it had touched in its first decade as a non-profit.

Reading from a letter by Ashley Seymour, a former mentee now in her junior year at Lyndon State College, DREAM co-founder Mike Foote intimated “DREAM picked me up and taught me the most important lesson of my life so far: it is perfectly okay to be yourself.”

DREAM would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Cailie Burns and the staff of VYCC for their gracious donation of the West Monitor Barn space, to Connor Garvey for his gift of music, to The Skinny Pancake for cutting us a great deal on catering, to Ben & Jerry’s for their delicious ice cream, and to all the guests of “Dessert Before Dinner” for helping DREAM drive its mission.

In Ashley’s words, “on the hard days, the days you wake up achy and feeling exhausted… know for a fact that to even one kid like me, it counts for everything.”

Check out photos from our event on our Photo page!

A Note From Boston

2011-11-01T12:10:00.003-04:00

Dear DREAMers,

It is with great excitement that I am writing you all to share that on November 4th, I will be leaving the DREAM Office to pursue a new adventure with the Brookline-based Massachusetts Association for the Blind. While the decision to leave my post as Resource Development Director did not come easily, it is an adventure that I will embark upon with great gusto having spent seven inspirational years surrounded by DREAM’s energy, vibe, and all of you!

Since I was first introduced to DREAM in 2004, I have had the privilege of working with some of the most amazing college students and youth. I’ve seen what is possible when college students realize that they have the ability to create massive social change, and I have seen what is possible when a child realizes that they have the support to dream big and the ability to set the bar for what they believe is possible in their lives.

Together, we’ve traveled on buses, trains, ferries and planes! We’ve picked apples, cranberries, snowball fights and noses! We’ve climbed rock walls and mountains (literally and figuratively)! We’ve caught footballs, baseballs, Frisbees, and colds! We’ve attended Red Sox and Celtics games, community barbecues and youth sporting events! We’ve laughed and we’ve cried, we’ve smiled and we’ve frowned. We’ve done all of this, and so much more in the name of social change, community engagement, and fun!

So, here are some words of wisdom as I depart: Over the last seven years I have worn many hats within DREAM, and realized something truly amazing. DREAM can be whatever you make it! DREAM is yours. It always has been and it always will be, so challenge it and let it challenge you! DREAM big, DREAM well, but most importantly DREAM often. Take advantage of all the amazing opportunities that come your way, because you’ve earned them! Smile, laugh, high-five, and hug.

Saying goodbye is never an easy task, so I’ll see you later alligators! I’ll never be more than an email or a phone call away, so don’t be a stranger, just reach out to the folks in the DREAM Office and they’ll know how to reach me!

DREAM big,
Josh

Mobius Launches 2011-2012 Mentor Discount Card for Local Mentor Pairs

2011-10-20T15:24:00.002-04:00

Mobius, a non-profit organization working to increase the number of high-quality, adult-to-youth mentoring relationships in Chittenden County, VT, recently announced the launch of their 2011-2012 Mentor Discount Card. The card provides mentor pairs located in Chittenden County access to exciting and engaging activities at over 40 local businesses.

UVM DREAM mentor, Matt Matuszewski, and his mentee, Matt, were featured in The Other Paper's article which introduced Mobius' 2011-2012 Mentor Discount Card. To view the full article, please visit http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?referral=other&pnum=&refresh=tJ05W18fm3F1&EID=eeb168e7-beb5-4883-8c73-848380912a28&skip= (Full Story Available on Page 9)

DREAMstock 2011: Curiouser Than Ever

2011-10-07T10:49:00.003-04:00

OCTOBER 6, 2011 – Some mentors came to fine-tune their mentoring skills. Others came dressed in “flandex,” ready to play Knockout and make new friends. In all, about 60 mentors, office staff, Alumni and special guests all descended on Burlington’s King Street Center last weekend for DREAM’s 8th Annual DREAMstock mentoring conference. Despite the cool, wet fall weather, mentors from nine different Local Programs and seven colleges and universities in Vermont and Greater Boston turned up. Among the topics they covered during the overnight conference were Child and Teen Trajectory, DREAM Philosophies, Child Management, and Programming with a Purpose.

Learning and fun at DREAMstock were synonymous. In keeping with the theme The Looking Glass, Alice, the White Rabbit, and the Queen of Hearts kept the conference on schedule while the Mad Hatter, the Caterpillar, and several other Carroll characters led the mentors in games, facilitated discussions and activities. The program kicked off on Saturday morning with a massive ice breaker Un-birthday Party. It concluded with an outstanding acoustic performance from Portland, Maine-based artist Connor Garvey. Speaking of the DREAMstock sessions on the whole, one Boston University mentor quoted “…super helpful – I don’t think I would change anything.”

Many thanks to King Street Center for sharing your space with DREAM!

DREAMers, IBM Volunteers Cut Ribbon on Barn

2011-09-26T16:38:00.001-04:00

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 – It’s official: The new barn at Camp DREAM is open for activity. Patrick Zachary, one of five volunteers from IBM who helped build the barn, swung the hatchet to cut the ribbon. Over 25 DREAMers and IBM volunteers were present at the ceremony.

The purpose of the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was to recognize the generosity of the Goldstein Family, who helped DREAM finance the barn, and volunteers including Ralph Costantini and the IBM crew who designed and helped build it. In a brief speech, DREAM Executive Director Mike Loner thanked all of the individuals involved, and described just how important the barn is to Camp DREAM.

Truly, the barn has been a credit to Camp already. In addition to the more obvious benefits of shelter from rain and covered storage for programming supplies during winter, the barn gives the Camp homestead area a more completed look, and helps galvanize Staff members, who often have to plan projects at Camp around the weather.

May DREAMers enjoy many meals, games, and activities under the shelter of the barn in the years ahead.

DREAM Presents at the 3rd Annual CLASSY Awards

2011-09-15T16:50:00.002-04:00

On Saturday, September 17, DREAM will be returning to the CLASSY Awards in San Diego to present the award to this year’s Most Influential College Student Organization. At the 2nd Annual CLASSY Awards ceremony in 2010, DREAM took home the accolades for Most Influential College Student Organization as well as Philanthropic Small Business of the Year.

DREAM will be represented at the CLASSY Awards by Joshua Warren, Resource Development Director and Champlain DREAM ’06 graduate and Erin Caswell, Champlain DREAM ’06 graduate. “DREAM is a phenomenon hard to describe," said Caswell, "but one that everyone wants to be a part of once they hear about it. It is exciting to see how far dream has come in such a short time. From a few colleges to a statewide mentoring movement in Vermont, DREAM has exploded onto the Boston scene, and is now being recognized nationally. I am confident that it will continue to spread like wildfire.“

The 3rd Annual CLASSY Awards will be hosted by actress and philanthropist Jamie-Lynn Sigler, and DREAM will be joined by speakers and presenters from organizations including Movember, Kiva.org, Invisible Children, Team Rubicon, and many more.

DREAM wins a $10,000 IBM grant to develop environmental education curriculum at Camp!

2011-09-15T14:01:00.001-04:00

IBM has awarded DREAM a $10,000 Catalyst Grant to develop an environmental educational program at Camp DREAM. The Catalyst Grants are in recognition of IBM’s 100th anniversary. The grants support IBM employees applying their professional skills to volunteer projects with schools or community organizations, or that demonstrate a connection to a local, sustainable issue. DREAM won 1 of just 100 IBM Catalyst Grants of $10,000 worldwide in 2011. DREAM’s award is the only Catalyst Grant won in Vermont.

The IBM grant will enable DREAM staff and IBM volunteers to create a new environmental curriculum at Camp DREAM. The goal is the development of a “hands on” educational curriculum to teach the students about the watershed, its associated water cycle, and impacts on the quality of the water system. Designated areas and signage will help educate the students about brooks, marshes, vernal pools and the pond, and key water resources on the property will be sampled and interpreted by the students.

To develop the program, DREAM staff and IBM volunteers will create a global positioning system (GPS) map of the property. Volunteers will identify key areas and install interpretive signs. The program will incorporate components of an IBM-designed student activity kit called "Clean Water Difference” which discusses the importance of watersheds and the environmental, societal, and economic tradeoffs faced when making decisions that affect water quality and quantity.

The IBM grant also will help DREAM redesign its web site and create a web page that will provide access to the environmental curriculum and allow students to upload the water quality data they gather as part of the program.

About IBM: For more information about IBM’s Centennial, please visit http://www.ibm100.com

The Boston Finance Committee makes a splash!

2011-08-25T18:19:00.004-04:00

BOSTON—On Thursday, August 18, 2011 the DREAM Boston Finance Committee made a splash at Splash, Boston’s newest ultra-lounge and burger bar.

At their first major event, a “Friend Raiser” Fundraiser, the Boston Finance Committee attracted over 60 guests and raised over $2,000 through personal donations, ticket and t-shirt sales. The committee, made up of DREAM alumni, friends, and donors has pledged to raise money and rally support through personal contributions, solicitations, and similar events, all to support DREAM in the Greater Boston Area. The evening also provided an opportunity for DREAM to present an upcoming fundraising initiative, “Dress Down, DREAM Up,” slated to launch this October. Stay tuned for more details or contact Josh Warren, Resource Development Director, at josh@dreamprogram.org.

If you would like more information on the Boston Finance Committee or are interested in joining the committee, please contact TheDREAMProgram.Boston@gmail.com.

DREAM wins Outstanding Program Award

2011-08-15T08:28:00.004-04:00

BOSTON – On Friday, August 5, 2011 DREAM was recognized by Madison Park Development Corporation (MPDC) for their outstanding work in the Orchard Gardens and Madison Park Village communities. The award was presented by City Councilor Tito Jackson at MPDC’s 10th Annual National Night Out Against Crime.

Resource Development Director Joshua Warren had this to say about the award, “Since DREAM arrived in Boston in the fall of 2009, Madison Park Development Corporation has been one of our strongest supporters. To be recognized by MPDC for our ongoing work in the Orchard Gardens and Madison Park Village communities is further confirmation that Village Mentoring ™ works in an urban environment.” DREAM’s Village Mentoring ™ model, which was developed in Vermont, has a ten year track record of improving outcomes for youth living in subsidized low-income housing neighborhoods.

DREAM was joined at National Night Out by their long time partner and supporter, Ben & Jerry’s, who generously donated ice cream for over 400 residents, youth, police, and community leaders.

Federal Cuts Affect Vermont Services

2011-08-04T11:29:00.005-04:00

The DREAM Program and our loss of AmeriCorps funding has been featured in the Burlington Free Press. According to the article, “This coming fiscal year, Vermont-based DREAM Program will confront the difficulties of growing up by possibly losing all of its funding from AmeriCorps, a federal program that is the largest contributor to the DREAM Program’s finances.” We of course are ready to take on this challenge and have put in place a contingency plan that includes receiving support to bring on two VISTA members from the Vermont Youth Tomorrow A*VISTA Program (Thank you VYT!) As Sandy Mervak, our Development Director stated “Our highest priority as an organization is to serve the children in the program.” The DREAM office and of course the DREAM Mentors are more than ready to continue this work. You can read the entire article here: http://bit.ly/obSz3t

Teen DREAMer Recently Honored as a Student of the Quarter.

2011-06-14T09:43:00.000-04:00

Claudine Nkurinziza, a Teen DREAMer from Elm Street, and a student at the Winooski High School was recently honored as a Student of the Quarter. The Student of the Quarter program is one in which students are nominated by a staff member or teacher of WHS based on a academic improvement, success or character. Claudine was named the Most Improved Student of the Quarter by her teachers. The students are honored for their award at a luncheon sponsored by the Friends of Winooski High School.

Claudine is an amazing young woman who has been an outstanding child, teen, camper and leader in DREAM. She has been with DREAM since 2006 when her family moved to Winooski from Africa. Please join us in congratulating her on her achievement. If you would like to pass on a few words of congratulations please do so by sending an email to Jenna Rae here in the DREAM office (jhelenski@dreamprogram.org) and we will put them all together in a card for Claudine!

DREAM Teen Awarded VSAC Scholarship

2011-06-08T11:08:00.010-04:00

Jayla is one of the original DREAMers from the Green Acres / Norwich University program. She has been a DREAM rock star since 2004 and has participated as a mentee, a camper and a Counselor in Training at Camp DREAM. She will be graduating from Spaulding High School this year, and is heading to college in South Carolina in the fall. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to just one Vermont student.

Sponsored by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, the scholarship was created to provide financial assistance to individuals who have participated as mentees who have fully participated in a Vermont mentoring program for at least two years. Jayla has certainly committed to DREAM. To be eligible, Jayla had to demonstrate academic achievement, financial need, and a strong education and work ethic.

DREAM would like to send a big shout out to Jayla. We are so happy for her, and her awesome achievement!

The DREAM Program, Inc. Selected As Host Site For 2011-2012 Massachusetts Promise Fellowship Americorps Program

2011-04-26T14:18:00.004-04:00

The DREAM Program, Inc., will be one of 39 organizations throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to receive an AmeriCorps member through the Massachusetts Promise Fellowship in 2011-2012. DREAM was selected through a competitive application process to host a Fellow, and will be utilizing this resource to help increase programming capacity starting this fall.

“We are incredibly excited about the diversity of projects we will support in the next program year and the impact that will be made by our 40 AmeriCorps members serving throughout the Commonwealth,” Massachusetts Promise Fellowship Director, Kori Redepenning, stated.

The AmeriCorps program, currently in its twelfth year, places AmeriCorps members (Fellows) at non-profit organizations, schools, and city agencies across Massachusetts to create, lead, and manage youth development projects. Over the past decade plus, Fellows have contributed over 370,000 hours of service to communities across Massachusetts. For more information on the Massachusetts Promise Fellowship, visit www.masspromisefellows.org.

Boston DREAM Teens become Blue Ambassadors

2011-04-21T13:24:00.002-04:00

Boston, MA -- Teens and mentors from Boston's Orchard Gardens DREAM Program, joined staff from the New England Aquarium earlier this month, to help remove debris and create natural fish ladders within one of the most productive herring runs in New England.

If you would like to learn more information about the Blue Ambassadors, please visit http://news.neaq.org/2010/04/live-blue-ambassadors-hit-ground.html. For full coverage of the herring run clean up, and photos of DREAMers, Marcus Younge and

DREAM wins Best Mentorship Program at Harvard College

2011-04-14T10:25:00.003-04:00

Boston – On Friday, April 8, 2011 the Leadership Institute at Harvard College named DREAM, the campus’ Best Mentorship Program. DREAM’s award was announced during the 2011 Leadership Symposium, a half-day conference aimed to unite the student presidents, directors, and captains of Harvard University. This award honors the Harvard College student organization that has, through an exceptional leadership infrastructure geared toward developing leadership skills of new and continuing members, created a model that sustains continued successful leadership in the organization.

Famous DREAMers

2011-04-13T10:25:00.003-04:00

Josh Warren

Boston, MA -- This month, while promoting his new movie, POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, Morgan Spurlock, the man who brought us Super Size Me and the FX series 30 Days, was formally introduced to The DREAM Program. Spurlock’s new film uncovers the world of product placement and advertisements in Hollywood, and is quite cleverly funded by product placements throughout the film. Mini, Jet Blue, and Hyatt all bought into Spurlock’s film, helping him “sell-out,” by buying-in, to this multibillion dollar industry, becoming the “greatest car,” “greatest airline,” and “greatest hotel,” of The Greatest Movie Ever Sold.

During the Q&A section of the evening, amidst a barrage of questions related to product placement and advertisements in the films industry I raised my hand and asked, “What size shirt are you?”

A somewhat stunned Spurlock said, “Medium, I am a medium.”

Almost instantly I hurled a purple and white DREAM T-shirt, balled up and bound with an elastic across the theater and directly into his hands. Spurlock opened the bundle raised it proudly, and said, “This is great! I needed a new shirt to wear in the gym!” I explained to Morgan that DREAM was hands down, The Greatest Mentoring Program Ever, and while we couldn’t provide him with $25,000 the lowest level of sponsorship for a spot in his film, to become the official “greatest mentoring program ever,” of The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, we were happy to give him a DREAM T-shirt and would love him to think of us each time he pumps some iron.

Is your third uncle Chevy Chase? Did you grow up next door to Pauly Shore? Is your brother Brian Doyle-Murray? Wait that would make you Bill Murray… If you rub elbows with celebs and want to present them with some free DREAM gear, email josh@dreamprogram.org. You can check out more celebrity DREAMers at http://dreamprogram.smugmug.com/Central-Office/Famous-DREAMers/187757_TvGYX.

Orchard Gardens DREAMer Debuts at the Hard Rock Café

2011-02-22T08:23:00.002-05:00

BOSTON, Feb. 14 — Marcus Younge, a mentee in our Local Program at Orchard Gardens, made his musical debut at the Hard Rock Café. Younge, who has been playing guitar for less than a year, has been receiving lessons through the North End Music & Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC). His performance kicked off NEMPAC’s Second Annual Film and Music Festival. DREAM has the highest hopes for his future performances!

Willowbrook DREAMers Interview with Shires Media Citizens Press Corps

2010-12-09T15:58:00.003-05:00

With assistance from WBTN AM’s AmeriCorps member Brooke Brown-Saracino, Willowbrook DREAMers took part in the Shires Media Citizen Press Corps project. Mentors and mentees wrote questions, interviewed one another and recorded their interviews. Brooke then edited the recordings and posted them on their website. You can hear what the children had to say by going to: http://shiresmedia.wordpress.com.

Bay State Banner - Local mentoring program takes national prizes

2010-11-30T09:55:00.002-05:00

By Jeremy C. Fox

Good deeds have paid off for a Roxbury-based mentoring project.

The DREAM Program was named the Philanthropic Small Business of the Year and Most Influential College Student Organization at the second annual Classy Awards. The Nov. 7 awards ceremony was hosted by StayClassy, a free service that helps nonprofits use social media to connect to supporters and raise funds. (Click here for full story)

America's Most Influential College Student Organization and Philanthropic Small Business of the Year

2010-11-30T09:23:00.004-05:00

SAN DIEGO -- On Sunday, November 7, 2010 DREAM stepped onto the stage of the San Diego Civic Theater, and vaulted into the national spotlight. Kelly Thomason, Dartmouth '05, Kevin Spates, Northeastern '11, and Joshua Warren, Resource Development Director and Champlain '06 were in attendance and accepted two CLASSY Awards on behalf of The DREAM Program, Inc.

DREAM was recognized as America's Most Influential College Student Organization and Philanthropic Small Business of the Year, and awarded $20,000 in cash and prizes.