dreamprogram.org The DREAM Program @DREAMprogram
The Village Mentoring Organization
Willowbrook DREAM Quarterly Report March – May 2014 Greetings from DREAM! The Willowbrook/Bennington College DREAM program has finished up another wonderful semester of activities. Though youth are sad to see their mentors leaving for summer break, they look forward to their return in September and have a whole summer of exciting programming to keep them busy! Here is a summary of all the Willowbrook DREAM happenings from the last quarter.
Highlights from the quarter include:
The Willowbrook Local Program was awarded an Alumni Grant of $175 to help fund an end-ofyear camping trip. The mentors have been hard at work planning for this trip, which will take place over a weekend in May. Willowbrook mentors held a bake sale to fundraise for their camping trip and made $44 selling delicious treats during Bennington College’s Sun Fest. DREAM youth are excited for summer to begin, so they can visit Camp DREAM, and participate in activities around the community with Summer Community VISTAs Kelsey Ryan and Molly Kirschner.
Fridays:
Willowbrook mentors and youth completed a scavenger hunt on campus. For three Fridays in March, the Willowbrook mentees spent one-on-one time with their mentors or participated in small group activities. DREAM youth had one-on-one time with their mentors for two Fridays in April. The group spent two Fridays playing games in Willowbrook and at the playground. To prepare for their camping trip, the group decorated water bottles and made trail mix to bring as a snack. Mentors and mentees had one-on-one time together on campus. For their final Friday of the semester, Willowbrook youth and mentors played group games and making s’mores.
Special Events for Children and Mentors:
The Willowbrook Local Program’s hard work and planning paid off May 10-11 during their camping trip to Jamaica State Park. There, the group went swimming, made s’mores around the campfire, and went on a hike to a nearby waterfall. The DREAM Office hosted a Teen Identity Retreat April 4-5, where teens gathered in Burlington and participated in informative sessions about health and identity, talked with panelists from local organizations, had a Q+A with a Burlington Police Officer, tried out Zumba and made connections with teens from all over Vermont. DREAM welcomed 100 mentors and mentees into the Alumni Organization this quarter!
Capacity Building and Fundraising:
DREAM is thrilled to share the start-up of a new DREAM program at UVM, paired with the Salmon Run Apartments in Burlington. The new mentors and mentees held their first DREAM Friday this quarter.
Office: 30 Community Drive, South Burlington, VT | Mail: P.O. Box 361, Winooski, VT 05404 │ (802) 338-8979 | info@dreamprogram.org