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The Village Mentoring Organization
The Madison Park Village DREAM Update March 2014 The Madison Park Village program had a fun filled March! Most matches were unable to program the first week of March due to spring break. DREAM Programming: 3/7 (10 mentees, 7 mentors): This Friday Northeastern was on Spring Break and did not hold programming. Several mentors who were on campus during break met with their mentees for one-on-one activities. 3/14 (26 mentees, 32 mentors): The younger girl and boy mentees participated in a mentor-created scavenger hunt around Northeastern. Older matches did one-on-one activities such as playing basketball and getting meals together. 3/21 (25 mentees, 32 mentors): The group participated in several small group and one-onone activities, which included: getting ice cream, playing various games including pool and tag, and visiting the Prudential Center to shop for books and cupcakes 3/28 (24 mentees, 32 mentors): On this Friday, the program did one-on-one and small group activities. Activities included getting dinner, playing in the game room, exploring Northeastern’s campus, and having a photo shoot.
Program Development: Background Checks: Mentors recruited during the fall semester have officially completed the background check process and are cleared to program with youth one-on-one. Background checks for the eight spring recruits are under way. New Youth: The program brought four new youth on board this month. The mentors are currently collecting names of interested youth to add to the waitlist and plan to bring them into the program next semester. Student Group Status: The program met with the Student Involvement Board in March to present their constitution and seek recognition as a student club. They were given pending group status meaning that after they make a few requested changes to their constitution, they will be officially recognized. Community Collaboration: EMS Partnership: The program has partnered with the Northeastern EMS program to provide CPR Certification Training for anyone living in Madison Park Village on three dates in April. Every Friday in March the mentors have handed out flyers to families to notify them of this opportunity.
41 Dearborn St., Roxbury, MA 02119 | (617) 699-8408 | boston@dreamprogram.org
DREAM Office: Teen Program: Due to a variety of circumstances, we were unable to hold a teen wide activity on March 28th. Instead, I sent mentors out a list of possible activities they could do with their teen and encouraged them to contact me if they wanted help generating additional ideas. I also created a task force of seven mentors, myself, and Jason to meet to plan our April event. The group decided on hosting a field day at the Esplanade with all teens on Friday, April 18th from 5-6:30pm. South Boston Local Program: Recruitment for mentors at University of Massachusetts (UMass) Boston continued this month. The mentoring program will officially pilot in Fall 2014. Jason also met with the director of the Tierney Learning Center to discuss how DREAM can provide for Old Colony youth during the summer. Summer Intern Hiring: We began the process of interviewing for our two Summer Community Intern positions. Many qualified candidates have applied and we are excited to put together a great team for the summer. 100 Mentors: After almost five years in Boston, thanks to our mentors, staff, and partners, we have reached the milestone of 100 DREAM mentors in Boston! All of the DREAM Boston chapters continue to increase their numbers and strengthen their programs. We look forward to continued growth in the Boston area, reaching even more youth with DREAM's transformative programs.
Keep DREAMing! Katie Purcell Program Empowerment Director Massachusetts Promise Fellow Katie@dreamprogram.org