Henry Santos & Leslie Grace Visit DREAM

Newsletter
July 2015

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Stars Henry Santos and Leslie Grace Visit DREAM

Latin Grammy nominee Leslie Grace and the multi-talented artist Henry Santos, of Aventura, took time from their busy schedules to lend a hand to our innovative work in The DREAM Music Program this past month. The two artists surprised more than 300 at-risk youth participating in the DREAM Summer Schools and Camps program in Cabarete and Sosua, learning more about the organization first hand, giving inspirational talks about the impact music has had on their lives and performing two intimate shows with the young musicians from the DREAM Music Program and the Bachata Academy @ DREAM. Click here to read more about the visit. Our two new DREAMers will be co-hosting Sueños 2015, our NYC Fundraiser honoring MLB All Star Robinson Cano, to be held at the famous 40/40 Club in Manhattan on November 12th, 2015.

Summer DREAMs Come True

Eight summer schools and camps led by more than 100 international and local volunteers and teachers reaching more than 800 youth... Wow! Our solution to the DR's lack of quality education during the academic year is simple: fun, innovation, creativity and community. From Puerto Plata to Las Terrenas, we are offering the most complete and impactful summer programs in the country.To learn more, give a click here.

Our New A Ganar Graduates,
Ready to Earn

Our 10th graduating class of A Ganar has been a true inspiration. As this highly successful program continues to expand, we are blown away at how each new group, new community, and new professional, dedicates his/herself to the 6-month intensive program in search of a productive career. With more than 70% of these graduates employed, back in school or both, DREAM couldn't be prouder. Congratulations graduates! A Ganar ( Let's earn)!

NYC DREAM Networking Night

The second annual DREAM Team Volunteer Network Alumni Event in NYC was a big hit. Volunteers spanning six years at DREAM met with our Executive Director Catherine DeLaura and Executive Board members, updating us on their accomplishments and connecting with other DREAM volunteers in the NYC area. It was great to bring everyone together and share DREAM's newest plans for 2015-16! DREAM is not just educating disadvantaged youth, we are preparing tomorrow's leaders all over the world.

Our Final Global Connections of the Summer: Camp Scatico Shines

Our Global Connection Groups have never had a more important year. Thanks to our partners, we have brought more than 18 different groups, over 500 international volunteers and invested more than US$250,000 into the public school infrastructure, local community projects and the economy of the north coast. That is how we DREAM! Our final group is Camp Scatico, hosting an unforgettable Summer School and Camp in Sabaneta. Have a peek here to read their blog.

Our Butterflies Do It Again!

Michelle and Tatiana have done it again with the Butterfly Effect, raising more than US$7,000 for DREAM Project by inspiring over 100 women in water sports and leading the way in local, philanthropic events. Thanks ladies, you rock! To learn more, click here.

DREAMer of the Month:

Coco

Is it just us or is Coco a reading machine? The inspiration for our new culture of reading, thousands of mini libraries, our public libraries and mobile libraries all stem from this little girl and her love of reading. This month, she has read 27 books! Coco, Ace and Jennifer have led our reading revolution and their appetite for literacy and education is a model for us all! Gracias Coco, keep reading! Click here to donate books in her honor!

Donors of the Month

A special thank you to all who gave this month, including:

Zaleski Family Foundation William S. Friedman
Camp Scatico     Playa Grande Holdings
The Thomas Rosato Foundation     Education First
Sunny Blueskyes     Peter Zimmerman
Wilmington Friends School
VIVAÏ : Experts en nutrition     Adventures Cross Country
The Scott & Sally Robertson Fund     Jon Wunderlich
Martina Wolff     Anonymous     Stymie Ohlson
Ariana Wohl

In Kind
Millennium Resort & Spa     Ultravioleta Cabarete
Gabriela Perez     Leaf Restaurant     Velero Beach Resort
Steven McDermott     Marisa Zhuño     Brandon Vargas
EZE Bar     Extreme Hotel
And all who gave through the Butterfly Effect auction,
including Sea Horse Ranch, JW Marriott, Lulu, Bliss,
JetBlue, Cigar Country, Andari Spa, and many more!