The DREAM Program, Johnson, Quarter 1, 2013-2014

dreamprogram.org The DREAM Program @DREAMprogram

The Village Mentoring Organization

Johnson DREAM Quarterly Report September – November 2013 Greetings from DREAM! The Johnson DREAM program has finished up another wonderful semester of activities. Though youth are sad to see their mentors leaving for winter break, they look forward to their return in January. Here is a summary of all the Johnson DREAM happenings from the last quarter. q

Highlights from the quarter include: • • • •

This quarter, a former DREAM mentee from our Birchwood program in Milton joined the ranks of Johnson DREAM as a mentor!

Two new youth joined DREAM this quarter!

Mentors took a bonding field trip to get creeme creemee’s – several mentors had never had maple creemees before!

Our annual teen retreat, focusing on futures, occurred in November.. DREAM teens ages 15 and over from throughout Vermont convened in Richmond, VT for a weekend of bonding and learning about educational/career opportunities! More information on our Teen Futures Retreat may be found in the section on ‘special events for children and mentors.’ mentors.’’

Friday Activities: • • • • • •

DREAMers celebrated the first DREAM Friday of the year with games and sidewalk ch chalk.

The group spent one Friday playing basketball and squash on campus at JSC. DREAMers spent one Friday baking sugar cookies and playing games!

The group had a great time splashing around at the JSC pool for a few Fridays during this quarter!

This quarter, r, Johnson DREAMers spent a Friday playing games and reading (that’s right, READING!) together!

The Friday immediately preceded by Halloween was celebrated with a Halloween party that included pizza, candy, pumpkins, and more.

Special Events for Children and Mentors: •

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A group of Elm Street mentors and teens hiked a portion of the Long Trail as part of UVM’s Catamountain Classic. This event raises funds for a scholarship for a DREAM teen to attend an Outward Bound Program each year.

Thirteen older teens from across Vermont gathered for the second annual Teen Futures Retreat, where they wrote intros for their college essays, had a frank discussion about the pressure of drug use, and discussed their goals for life after high school. Thanks to a allll of the residents of The Swamp for hosting DREAM, and to Tristram Coffin, U.S. District Attorney, for facilitating conversation around The Opiate Effect Effect. Lastly, DREAM thanks Paul Espina and Katie Purcell for all of their help!

Capacity Building and Fundraising: ndraising: •

DREAM was honored to receive a $20,000 capacity capacity-building building grant from Ben & Jerry’s. We look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership!

Office: 30 Community Drive, South Burlington, VT | Mail: P.O. Box 361, Winooski, VT 05404│ (802) 338-8979 | info@dreamprogram.org

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On November 18, DREAM launched our Annual Appeal. Keep a look out for your letter and please consider donating. So far the Annual Appeal has raised $1,540 from 16 donors.

Mentor Training and Workshops: •

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Mentors across Vermont attended DREAMstock, a fun 24-hour event graciously co-hosted by Bolton Valley Resort and Comcast. Vermont mentors participated in sessions about age-specific programming, building relationships with families, and meeting facilitation. DREAM thanks Paul Espina for his help, as well as National Bank of Middlebury, Five Guys, City Market, and Shelburne Orchard for their financial and in-kind support.

This quarter Program Director Sarah reviewed the DREAM Boundaries and Guidelines training with the entire program.

Camp: •

Camp Work Days and Days of Caring occurred in late September and early October. More than 50 volunteers assisted staff in painting the new Camp Store, building wooden bridges, and building cubbies for the lean-tos.

Alumni Involvement: •

DREAM launched its alumni appeal on October 29. Overall, the alumni appeal has raised $12,000 from 100 donors.

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In September, staff and AmeriCorps members participated in a two-day staff retreat in Guilford, VT. Discussion topics included giving and receiving feedback, DREAM’s budget, and goal setting for the year.

DREAM Executive Director, Michael Loner, and Boston Regional Director, were honored to present at the New England Regional Mentoring Conference in Hartford, CT. Their presentation was titled "Working with Youth in Affordable Housing: Challenges and Opportunities."

The DREAM Program is very proud to have been the 2013 recipient of the Miles Jensen Award, which is sponsored by Housing Vermont and recognizes the outstanding contributions of volunteers who work with residents of affordable housing communities in Vermont. Housing Vermont chose to recognize DREAM due to the thousands of hours DREAM mentors spend with youth from affordable housing sites all over Vermont and beyond, stretching the children's ambitions and uncovering opportunities.

The DREAM Program recently completed the requirements for graduation from the BBVT Performance Institute. DREAM was selected to participate in the Performance Institute through a rigorous and competitive selection process, and we used our work with the Performance Institute to better define the outcomes we want for youth who participate in DREAM’s Teen Programming.

DREAM was excited to welcome Jason Desrosier in September as the new Boston Programs Director! Jason comes to DREAM with an inspiring background as a community-based learning coordinator, an AmeriCorps member, and a youth advocate.

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DREAM is sad to say goodbye to Mike Ewan, former Program Director, Advanced Support and AmeriCorps member supervisor. Mike recently transitioned into a new position as a special educator, where he will continue his work supporting youth.

Finally, DREAM is so excited to announce that Brian Fuller has joined the staff as the first Programs Director in Philadelphia! Currently he is recruiting mentors, raising funds, and working with Mike Foote, Director of Strategy and Growth, to build capacity for Philadelphia’s very first DREAM pairing: Temple University and the Cecil B. Moore Village Apartments.

Thank you for your ongoing support of DREAM. If you would like additional or more detailed information, please contact me by email or by phone. You can always look back at past reports or other programs’ reports by going to:http://dreamprogram.org/mentor-program/vermont/local-program-reports.

DREAM big, Sarah Caliendo Program Director scaliendo@dreamprogram.org 802.338.8979