Dreamer Diaries
December 2016
Thank You for a Wonderful Year!
Last Chance to Make a Tax Deductible Gift for 2016
Only 12 Dreamers Need a Sponsor!
Carbon Valley Dreamers Go on First College Tour
Dreamers Featured on National Foundation Website
Small Successes Show Payoff of Long-Term Commitment
Calling All Volunteers: Now Accepting Applications for Mentors
Thank You Adopt-A-Family Donors!
Thank You for Being Part of Team Dream!
   
Whether you are a volunteer, a donor, a mentor, a tutor, a program partner, a holiday gift giver, a coach, a teacher, or an advocate for our communities, you are an important part of the 'Team Dream' that helps Dreamers succeed.  Our combined investment of time, resources, and belief that these children deserve the best future possible is making a very real and important impact. 







From the entire Board and Staff at "I Have a Dream," we want to say THANK YOU for being part of our 'Team Dream' and for standing with us to help create meaningful change in our community.
 
 Last Chance to Make a Tax Deductible Gift for 2016
 
It's not too late to make your tax deductible gift to support "I Have a Dream" for 2016.

Give online through ColoradoGives.org until midnight on the 31st, c all us at 303-444-3636, or mail or drop off your donation at 5390 Manhattan Circle, in Boulder. We'll be open until 4:00 on Friday,  December 30th. 
 
We appreciate  your support of "I Have a Dream"'s programs and your investment in the success of the youth in our community!  Thank you! 
Seeking 12 Dreamer Sponsors to Make Dreams Come True!
 
We're almost there! Thanks to the generosity of donors who signed up to be a Dreamer Sponsor at this fall's Dream-Maker Luncheon and in the month since, we are only 12 Dreamer Sponsors away from launching our next Dreamer class in Lafayette at Alicia Sanchez Elementary School.
 
Dreamer Sponsors commit to donating $3,000/year for 10 years, which provides year-round after-school and summer programming and a $10,000 college scholarship for a student. 
 
"The 'I Have a Dream' Foundation inspired me to keep working to achieve academic success and to go on to higher education. It motivated me to keep working hard and helped me maintain good grades."Vicky M., Dreamer Alumna
 
If you are considering becoming a Dreamer Sponsor, or know someone who might, please contact Lori Canova at 303-444-3636 x16 or lori.canova@ihaveadreamboulder.org.
Carbon Valley Dreamers and Parents Attend First College Tour
 
Early exposure to higher education environments is instrumental in making sure first-generation students build the confidence to embark upon their own college journeys. That is why we begin Early College programming with youth in their first year as Dreamers. Last month, the Carbon Valley Dreamers went on their very first college visit - to the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). Accompanied by the College & Career Department, the Dreamers toured several spots on the campus, including the recreation center, a classroom building, and the library. The Dreamers ate lunch in one of UNC's dining halls and visited the Cesar Chavez Cultural Center, where they learned about the support and opportunities available to first-generation students on campus. Several Dreamer parents and siblings also went on the tour. Following the tour, one parent said to the class Program Director, "Ms. Aurora, a thousand thanks! I think I enjoyed the trip as much as the kids!" 
Dreamers Featured on National "I Have a Dream" Foundation Website

We are excited to have many of our Dreamer's featured in our National Foundation's       " K through College in a Year" project. Click on the interactive map to meet Dreamers from across the many affiliate programs in the country. Our local Dreamers featured include: 
 
           Raul, a 3rd grader in the Carbon Valley Dreamer Class (Frederick) 
           Grecia and Isaac, 5th graders in the Rocky Mountain Dreamer Class (Longmont) 
           Lesley, an 8th grader in the Griffin Dreamer Class (Lafayette) 
 
Not only will these Dreamers be sharing their experiences throughout the year of what being a Dreamer means to them, but the older Dreamers will get a chance to be featured contributors on the White House's "Better Make Room " social media channels! Stay tuned for updates on this amazing opportunity for our Dreamers to share their voices on this national platform as they pursue their educational goals.
 
Success Story Demonstrates Payoff of Long-Term Commitment
 
AmeriCorps member - Gen Spina - works with Dreamers in math group at Rocky Mountain Elementary School 
At the Rocky Mountain Dreamer Class, program director Olimpia Mejia encourages her AmeriCorps program coordinators to reflect on their challenges and successes as they work with Dreamers. Gen Spina, in her second year of Service with Notre Dame AmeriCorps with the Rocky Mountain Class, shared this story: 
 
"My success story is the math rotations last week. They were so excited to do math. I had the kids in different groups. When I looked across the room at one point, everyone was working hard. One particular group that stood out was Hanna and Priscilla. They chose the rotation of straight multiplication flash cards and were sitting, quizzing each other, with total focus and concentration. They both really need the practice and it was great to see them putting in the effort!" 
Calling All Volunteers: Now Accepting Applications for Mentors
 
A new year is almost here, and we are excited to offer you the opportunity to check off another resolution and get more involved as a mentor!  Mentors are matched with a Dreamer for one year, meeting at least twice each month to participate in fun activities, hang out, and build a long-lasting relationship.  From bike riding to decorating cookies, going to the zoo, and everything in between - our mentors are having fun with our Dreamers!  
 
Youth who have a mentor are 55 percent more likely to go to college!  Become a mentor today and get started by filling out a volunteer application: 
 
 
Thank You Adopt-A-Family Donors!
 
A huge thank you to the 243 supporters who signed up collectively to purchase 1,553 gifts for this year's Adopt-A-Family program!
 
Gifts were given to families during Dreamer class's Holiday Party, which were organized by parent-led committees at each Learning Center and included potlucks, music, and games. 
 
If you didn't participate this year, but are interested in participating next year, please contact Sarah Mellor at  AAF@ihaveadreamboulder.org or  303.444.3636 x19  to make sure you are on our mailing list to be contacted next year  with details.
Upcoming Events

January 18th, 4:00 - 5:30pm 
Kalmia Community Center (Boulder)

*Click to RSVP
February 13th, 3:45 - 5:30pm 
Rocky Mountain Class
Rocky Mountain Elementary (Longmont)

*Click to RSVP
March 16th, 7:30 - 9:00am
Plaza Conference Center, 
Longmont


March 23rd, 3:45 - 5:30pm 
Carbon Valley Class
Thunder Valley PK-8
(Frederick)

*Click to RSVP

April 29th and 30th
If you are interested in featuring a kitchen or sponsoring  this event, 
please contact Lisa McAllister at lisa@withgoodcause.com.
 
2016 Corporate Dream-Makers


 





 












About the "I Have a Dream" Foundation of Boulder County
Since 1990, the award-winning "I Have a Dream" Foundation of Boulder County has assisted 900 children from low-income areas in achieving their education and career goals by providing long-term personal and academic support, tutoring, mentoring and four-year tuition-assistance scholarships to each graduating student. The organization sponsors entire groups of students from elementary schools or from low-income housing sites and works with these children and their families from elementary school through high school graduation and then "to and through" college. Currently, there are 10 active "I Have a Dream" classes in the Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley School Districts. The "I Have a Dream" Foundation of Boulder County has doubled expected graduation rates for its graduating classes of students and has awarded over $2 million in scholarships. The program follows the national model established in New York in 1981 by founder Eugene Lang.

"I Have a Dream" Foundation of Boulder County |  5390 Manhattan Circle #200,  Boulder, Colorado 80303
www.ihaveadreamboulder.org | info@ihaveadreamboulder.org  | 303-444-3636