Main fundraiser photo

Give the Gift of a Dream

Tax deductible
 
 
Here's what we know… Recovery is possible. 

Recovery from trauma, recovery from generational harm caused by systemic inequities.  And even recovery from a global pandemic that has caused so much disruption in the lives our DreamKids …  

For over 22 years, U.S. Dream Academy has seen young people rise to meet challenges when they are supported with care, inspired to believe in themselves, challenged to grow and when we, as adults, share power in co-creating solutions for seemingly intractable issues. Our program model of three pillars of skills, character and dreams has stood the test of two decades as our youth development model has evolved along with our practice and the research.  Here are some of our results:

·         92% of our young people have an on-time high school graduation even in districts where the average graduation rate is 74%
·         90% of our students report higher aspirations and hope in their future 
·         92% of our students have increased school-day attendance after attending our program and teachers report greater level of engagement in the school day classroom
·         100% of our students report feeling safe in our program, and report being exposed to new opportunities that help them plan for their future (builds a sense of self-efficacy)

During the pandemic our DreamKids faced major disruptions to their education, in their relationships, in their play, in their social activities and in their social emotional development.  We need your help to ensure our young people have access to the resources, people and supports needed to recover from the past 18 months while adjusting to a future that is uncertain and often feels bleak for a young person. At the U.S. Dream Academy, our students have been adversely impacted by parental incarceration as well as systemic inequities in their communities often leading to generational poverty.  Inequities have caused greater instability in communities were we serve and hence a greater need for intentional support systems for our U.S. Dream Academy students.

Through our innovative mentoring programs and our Dream Journey curriculum we promote positive youth development through adult mentoring, skill building and dream building. 

Your support today translates into the gift of a dream for young people who without the support of our village may not be able to fully realize their greatest potential.  

Help us reach over 1,000 students with the gift of a dream... 

Donate today .... 

$1,000 will support in-and-out of school activities and mentoring for 2.5 months.

$500 will support a week of in-school and out-school activities every week.

$250 will support a week of virtual tutoring.

$100 will support a virtual group mentoring session.

$25 will support our parent engagement efforts - wellness checks and group parenting sessions to share ideas and encourage each other.
 

About Us

The U.S. Dream Academy (Dream), a 501 (c)3 founded in 1998, is one of the nation’s oldest out of school time and mentoring organizations targeting children of incarcerated parents and vulnerable youth falling behind in school in disadvantaged communities. Dream creates access to meaningful opportunities to build skills, character, and dreams through developmental relationships with caring adults in Learning Centers in seven cities (Baltimore, Houston, Orlando, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, San Bernardino, and Washington, DC). We aim to transform lives in under-resourced communities of color, and our multigenerational approach supports child and parental growth through tailored programs that disrupt cycles of poverty and incarceration. Through building developmental assets like perseverance, grit, and self-efficacy, Dream’s programming improves academic engagement and performance (as measured through grades, attendance, graduation rates); improves behaviors (reduced disciplinary actions); and shifts mindsets about students’ own abilities and their motivations for the future (student self-reports, parent surveys); and developmental relationships (student, staff, and mentor surveys).

For more information or to become a mentor, please visit:  www.usdreamacademy.org.
Donate

Donations 

    Donate

    Organiser

    U. S. Dream Academy
    Beneficiary

    Your easy, powerful and trusted home for help

    • Easy

      Donate quickly and easily

    • Powerful

      Send help directly to the people and causes you care about

    • Trusted

      Our Trust & Safety team works around the clock to keep our community safe