dreamprogram.org The DREAM Program @DREAMprogram
The Village Mentoring Organization
The Putnam Gardens DREAM Update October 2013 The Putnam Gardens program had a great October full of fun and diverse programming. They also began fundraising efforts for their end of semester activity. DREAM Programming:
10/4 (7 mentees, 9 mentors): The group did one-on-one programming. The two new mentors who have not been paired yet joined other mentor-mentee pairs. Activities included arts and crafts, board games, and playing pool. 10/11 (9 mentees, 8 mentors): The Putnam Gardens/Harvard University Program had the opportunity to attend a Boston Bruins game due to the generosity of the Highland Street Foundation. During this event they also met mentors and youth from the Madison Park/Northeastern University Local Program and youth from the Somerville Housing Authority/Tufts University Local Program. Mentors who could not attend the game did one-on-one programming with their mentees over the weekend. For example, one mentor took her mentee into Boston for the day. 10/18 (8 mentees, 9 mentors): The group got together and prepared for their upcoming fundraiser. They decided to sell candy grams on the Friday prior to Halloween in order to raise money for their end of semester activity. The youth and mentors assembled candy bags and made Halloween decorations to attach to the bags. One mentor took her mentee to cook dinner at Harvard’s cooperative living house. 10/25 (6 mentees, 9 mentors,): The group held their fundraiser in Harvard Yard near the Harvard University science center. While several youth were unable to attend, those who could actively participated in engaging with customers and had a great time hanging out at Harvard. The fundraiser netted a profit of about one hundred dollars.
Program Development:
Mentor recruitment: The Harvard mentors have decided to develop an ongoing recruitment strategy in order to attract more quality mentors. They plan on sending out emails, flyering, and placing signs in the dining halls. New mentors and mentees: The new mentors are in the process of being background checked. Once their checks are complete they will be able to officially match with two youth off of the waitlist. It is hoped that these matches will be at least tentatively created by the end of November.
dreamprogram.org The DREAM Program @DREAMprogram
The Village Mentoring Organization
Making-up missed programming: The Harvard mentors continue to do an outstanding job programming with their mentees outside of DREAM Fridays if they are unable to make programming that week.
DREAM Office:
Longwood Symphony Orchestra Benefit Concert: DREAM is lucky enough to be a beneficiary of the Longwood Symphony Orchestra this year. The LSO will be hosting a concert on December 7, 2013 to benefit the DREAM program. In addition to buying tickets to attend, there will be opportunities for supporters of DREAM to sponsor mentor-mentee matches to go to the concert. You can purchase tickets at: https://dream-concert.eventbrite.com. Massachusetts Promise Fellowship (MPF) Education Surveys: MPF is working to collect data about how youth (grades 4-12) view school and if their participation in DREAM affects their opinions. All eligible youth in the Putnam Gardens program have completed the MPF Education Survey. This survey has also served as a great tool to help DREAM update our database, which tracks the schools that our youth attend.
Keep DREAMing! Katie Purcell Program Empowerment Director Massachusetts Promise Fellow