Top Dominican Sells Out! - April Newsletter 2016

Newsletter
April 2016

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Top Dominican Sells Out!

Our Santo Domingo benefit was not only sold out, it was our most successful DR event to date! DREAM's name has become synonymous with educational reform in the Dominican Republic and our Santo Domingo community keeps growing. Thank you to our guests, our volunteers, our hostesses Pamela Sued, Lorenna Pierre, our entertainment from Jorge Villamizar, Chantal Del Pino, Mermaid Melissa, and our winner Carlos Fuente. A special thank you to Miguel Angel Gonzalez for his incredible event coordination and love for everything DREAM. This special evening was made possible by Tabacalera Arturo Fuente, Procigar Festival, JW Marriott, The Glenlivet, Rémy Martin, Cigar Aficionado, ALPHA Sociedad de Valores, Elever, Ron Barceló RD, Ultravioleta Boutique Residences, Millennium Resort in Cabarete, Andari Spa, JetBlue Airways, Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, Casa Bonita DR, Casa Colonial DR, The Peninsula House Neverland Boat Charter, Sea Horse Ranch, Vacation for Change, The Pearl New York, Pierre Michel Salon, Pat'e Palo European Brasserie and Lulu Tasting Bar. Of course, none of this would be possible without the vision of Cigar Country.

Our First Children's Book has Launched!

Leones are in Cabarete to stay. DREAM's first children's book, "Un León en Cabarete!", was officially launched last week during our 6th My Very Own Library Book Fair. This creative story, DREAMed up by our young readers, was written by Ana Galán and illustrated by Dominican artist Ana Díaz. Thanks to this achievement, our goal to provide all children in the Dominican Republic with access to engaging books is finally being met. DREAM is spreading a culture of reading by creating one reader ( León) at a time. Please support this book initiative by picking up a copy at the DREAM Office in Cabarete or ordering your book online at: blurb.com.

Full Circle: Local Businesses Receive Thank You From USAID,
Alerta Joven and DREAM

USAID and the Alerta Joven project supported DREAM in convening local businesses to share details about the A Ganar youth workforce development program and encourage employers to hire local Dominican youth. Participating businesses received a custom-designed sign that shows their commitment to contributing to positive social change. DREAM has successfully worked with 68 businesses to find internships and jobs for students enrolled in the program. Our goal is for every local business to hire an A Ganar graduate!

New Peer Leaders Trained to Lead Female Youth Empowerment Program

Nearly 50 young women applied to be a peer coach to implement the Unica program, which works to promote sexual and reproductive health and prevent gender-based violence and adolescent pregnancy along the North Coast of the Dominican Republic. Twenty outstanding applicants were selected to participate in the three-day training in Tubagua, Puerto Plata. These role models will teach groups of 12-15 year olds in 10 different communities, spreading messages of female empowerment in a relatable and engaging way.

Writing Workshops

This past month, teachers from all our programs participated in a 2-day writing workshop led by Meg Peterson, Director of the National Writing Project at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. The 22 teachers who took part in the program improved their own writing skills, while also learning strategies and activities designed to encourage creative writing in the classroom. The workshops were part of the Proyecto de Escritura Nacional, a nation-wide effort to provide teachers with professional development on how to teach writing. DREAM teachers will be participating in future conferences at the regional and national level.

DREAMer of the Month

Ana Galán

Scholastic Author Ana Galán joined DREAM for the 1st MVOL Book Fair in December 2014. Since then, she has visited DREAM five times and created an amazing book that reflects the Dominican culture and community. Our children are the stars of the book and reading leones are being developed all over the country. Thank you, Ana, for your vision and commitment to education in the Dominican Republic!

Donors of the Month

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

The RC22 Foundation     Kimball Family Foundation
William S. Friedman     Michel Zaleski
Dupuy Barcelo SRL     Alvarez & Sanchez
Banco Popular Dominicano     Pernod Ricard Dominicana
Sea Horse Ranch     Education First     Banco De Reservas
Fathom/Carnival Cruise Lines     CFC Campaign     JetBlue
AT&T Employee Giving Campaign     Jon Meuser
Dianne Marani     Niki Hantzis     William Foley
Jorge Villamizar     Procigar     Carlos Fuente     Elever
In House Productions     JW Marriott Hotel
Neverland Boat Charter    Cigar Country     Mermaid Melissa
Chantal del Pino     Pamela Sued & Lorrena Pierre
The Peninsula House     Casa Bonita     The Pearl Hotel
Millennium Resort & Spa     Casa Colonial Beach & Spa
Casa de Campo     Ultravioleta Cabarete     Pat'e Palo
Vacation for Change     Lulu Tasting Bar     Maria Dominguez

Donors who helped cover the cost of the production of
"Un León en Cabarete":
Michael Harness, Graciela Vidal, Evelyn and Andres Sadler,
Nicholas and Amanda Lodge, Peggy Intrator,
Juan Carlos and Marisa Bandrés, Diego Olive
and Ana Galán

A special thanks to our Shared Responsibility Partners

and all who bought tickets, auction items, donated money or in kind items through the Cigar Country Benefit.

Donate Today!

Events

APRIL 30th
Last Day to Apply as Summer Camp Volunteer

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DREAM Big T-shirt!

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Address for check donations in the US:

The DREAM Project

916 Williams Rd, Unit 2

Colchester, VT 05446

Volunteer with DREAM!

Summer Camp

June 26-July 29, 2016

Academic Year

Aug. 22, 2016-June 1, 2017

Apply by April 30th!

Volunteers must have at least intermediate Spanish skills and experience working with kids. Ages 18+ for the summer, 21+ for the academic year.

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