dreamprogram.org The DREAM Program @DREAMprogram
The Village Mentoring Organization
Poultney DREAM Quarterly Report March – May 2015 Greetings from DREAM! In this quarter, youth at Poultney and their mentors had many enriching adventures together and have strengthened their bond throughout the term. Mentors have gone for summer vacation but youth look forward to summer programming! Highlights from the quarter include: DREAM teens from across the state came together for an identity retreat in South Burlington. They were glad to be reunited and had fun teaching technology skills to the elderly and learning about identities! Poultney had a grand culminating adventure at Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury, VT!
Weekly Activities: The group spent a day checking-in and learning about bullying so that the youth can continue to be safe and speak to an adult or mentor if feeling threatened. The mentors and mentees spent a day doing team-building exercises! The group has begun one-on-one programming with a new match to boot! The group spent a day checking-in and learning about bullying so that the youth can continue to be safe and speak to an adult or mentor if feeling threatened. Mentors and mentees spent a day at the ropes course doing team-building exercises! The group has begun one-on-one programming with a new match to boot! Poultney program had its culminating event at Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury, VT where they learned all about the company and got free samples! The group celebrated a great semester with an end-of-semester party on campus!
Special Events for Children and Mentors: Elm Street planned, fundraised for, and challenged themselves to a high ropes course at Northern Lights Rock and Ice this quarter for their culminating event, to celebrate another successful year together.
Office: 30 Community Drive, South Burlington, VT | Mail: P.O. Box 361, Winooski, VT 05404 │ (802) 338-8979 | info@dreamprogram.org
dreamprogram.org The DREAM Program @DREAMprogram
The Village Mentoring Organization
Capacity Building and Fundraising: Dartmouth College DREAM Programs underwent a fierce season of fundraising for the High Adventure trip they will take in June. Look for updates from the trip in our next report! DREAM continues to raise funds for our capital campaign, reaching about $200,000 of our $500,000 goal so far. We will be building up Camp DREAM to allow more youth from our programs to get to camp. Plans involve a bathhouse, a lodge and an infirmary. Mentor Training and Workshops: This quarter our DREAM summer staff attended orientation at Camp DREAM to learn the ropes of their new jobs!
Camp: DREAM had some great help from volunteers at our Camp Work Days this quarter. IBM brought three volunteers on May 1st and Hickok and Boardman Insurance brought 15 volunteers on May 22nd. Volunteers helped with carpentry work on framing for our newest building, the bathhouse. They provided skilled tree services and helped stock fuel wood for our Camp oven that feeds kids all summer long. Alumni Involvement: DREAM welcomed many new faces to our Alumni Organization this quarter. We had 11 high school graduates who have big plans for next year, we can’t wait to see what they accomplish next! We also welcomed many mentor graduates who we hope will stay involved and engaged as they transition to post-college life. Well done everyone! Office: DREAM staff gathered at Bolton Valley Resort for a Sprinter retreat on March 1617. The DREAM staff and board members gathered for a retreat in May to talk about DREAM’s future, engage in meaningful converstations about our programs and participate in a Safe Spaces training. DREAM has completed our hiring process for Program Empowerment Directors (PEDs) for next year. We are thrilled to welcome back our very own Kylie Edwards, and to welcome Julia Dillavou, Tiffany Bernard-Trowbridge, and Kelsea Moulton to the team!
Office: 30 Community Drive, South Burlington, VT | Mail: P.O. Box 361, Winooski, VT 05404 │ (802) 338-8979 | info@dreamprogram.org
dreamprogram.org The DREAM Program @DREAMprogram
The Village Mentoring Organization
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/mentoring/vermont/local-program-reports.
DREAM big, Ariana Walk VYT AmeriCorps VISTA Program Empowerment Director ariana@dreamprogram.org 802.681.3982
Office: 30 Community Drive, South Burlington, VT | Mail: P.O. Box 361, Winooski, VT 05404 │ (802) 338-8979 | info@dreamprogram.org