The DREAM Program, Madison Park, November, 2012

The DREAM Program, Inc. 41 Dearborn St. Roxbury, MA 02119 (617) 699-8408 www.dreamprogram.org

December 14, 2012

The Madison Park Village DREAM Update November 2012 Madison Park Village DREAM kicked off November with activities, which promoted group cohesion. With new mentors into the program, it has created a new group dynamic and energized the mentors and youth participants.

DREAM Programming:  11/2: (20 mentees, 28 mentors): Activities for the older boys included playing football and video games, while the younger boys played an assortment of games in International Village. The girls enjoyed an afternoon of coloring, playing board games, watching a movie, making face masks, and making popcorn and Rice Krispie treats.  11/9: (18 mentees, 29 mentors): Programming was a mixture of one-on-one time and group activities. Group activities included: playing video games and football, going to The Children’s Museum, visiting the dining halls, doing Zumba, and having a Taco Night.  11/16: (21 mentees, 25 mentors): Matches participated in a variety of activities including an egg drop in Curry Student Center, watching a movie, and going to The Children’s Museum and the Museum of Science. One partner match had a spa day.  11/30: (19 mentees, 25 mentors): Mentors and mentees divided into groups. Activities included touring and playing in the gym, playing video games, going to the dining hall and making dinner at a mentor's apartment.

Programming Opportunities:  Celtics Game (1 mentee, 1 DREAM Staff member): The Wednesday before Thanksgiving a DREAM youth participant and I attended a Celtics game through a generous donation from the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation. The youth was delighted to attend and although the Celtics lost, it was an enjoyable evening.

Program Development:  New Co-Chair Election: Lina Cowen was elected co-chair and will be replacing Jeff White, who will be abroad during the Spring Semester.  Ski Trip: Eric Callwood, a mentee and junior mentor, is working with the DREAM staff to begin the process of planning a ski trip that is tentatively set for February.  Academic Release Waivers: Academic release waivers were handed out to parents in an effort for DREAM to get a more comprehensive picture of the youth participants as it relates to their grades, attendance, and any other issues related to school. Once the waivers have been completed by the parents, DREAM will be able to provide additional support as needed to ensure that our youth have access to the necessary resources. It also is a great way to

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inform the schools of the programming that the students participate in outside of the academic setting.

Meeting With a Mentee’s Teachers: With one particular mentee who we knew was struggling in school, we were able to expedite the process, and his mentor and I met with some of his teachers on November 1st. We learned more about the student’s academic struggles and his mentor was better able to assist him with homework. As a result of this meeting, the mentee has increased his rate of attendance.

Community Collaboration:  Dudley/Roxbury Corridor Safety Task Force: Rachel attended the Dudley/Roxbury Corridor Safety Task Force meeting on November 26th.

DREAM Office:  Special Surprise for the Mentors: As a way to show appreciation to the mentors and thank them for their hard work this semester, two DREAM Vermont alumni surprised the group at a mentor meeting with cupcakes and wearing costumes. They also spoke about their experiences as mentors and thanked the mentors for all they do.  College Affordability Training: Chad attended a training facilitated by U-Aspire to educate youth-serving organizations about the complexity of college admission and how to better to assist youth through the process.  Massachusetts Promise Fellowship (MPF) Pass the Wagon: The DREAM Office staff attended MPF’s Pass the Wagon event at Northeastern on November 30th to support the great work that MPF does around the state.

Keep DREAMing!

Zahra Ohldin, Program Empowerment Director Massachusetts Promise Fellow/Americorps