dreamprogram.org The DREAM Program @DREAMprogram
The Village Mentoring Organization
The Somerville Housing Authority DREAM Update March 2014 The SHA Program had a great March. They officially matched four mentees and began planning their culminating experience. DREAM Programming: 3/7 (11 mentees, 13 mentors): On Friday, the program split up into small groups. Activities included going to the gym, coloring, watching a movie, making robots out of gumdrops and toothpicks, and crafting in the Tufts craft center. Four mentors did “DREAM proposals” to invite youth to be their mentees. By the end of Friday the program added four new matches. 3/14 (6 mentees, 5 mentors): Due to the start of Tufts’ spring break, very few mentors and mentees were able to program. The ones that did went to the crafts center or played basketball. 3/21: There was no programming due to Tufts’ spring break. 3/28 (12 mentees, 11 mentors): All matches broke up into small groups. Activities included watching a movie, playing pool, and going to the computer lab. Program Development: Matching: The program matched four unmatched mentors with youth whose mentors had previously left the program. Planning for Culminating Experience: The program began planning their culminating trip to Middlesex Fells Reservation. They plan to take the program for a day of nature hikes and team building. DREAM Office: Teen Program: Due to a variety of circumstances, we were unable to hold a teen wide activity on March 28th. Instead, I sent mentors out a list of possible activities they could do with their teen and encouraged them to contact me if they wanted help generating additional ideas. I also created a task force of seven mentors, myself, and Jason to meet to plan our April event. The group decided on hosting a field day at the Esplanade with all teens on Friday, April 18th from 5-6:30pm. South Boston Local Program: Recruitment for mentors at University of Massachusetts (UMass) Boston continued this month. The mentoring program will officially pilot in Fall 2014. Jason also met with the director of the Tierney Learning Center to discuss how DREAM can provide for Old Colony youth during the summer. Summer Intern Hiring: We began the process of interviewing for our two Summer Community Intern positions. Many qualified candidates have applied, and we are excited to put together a great team for the summer. 100 Mentors: After almost five years in Boston, thanks to our mentors, staff, and partners, we have reached the milestone of 100 DREAM mentors in Boston! All of the
dreamprogram.org The DREAM Program @DREAMprogram
The Village Mentoring Organization
DREAM Boston chapters continue to increase their numbers and strengthen their programs. We look forward to continued growth in the Boston area, reaching even more youth with DREAM's transformative programs.
Keep DREAMing! Katie Purcell Program Empowerment Director Mass Promise Fellow/Americorps Katie@dreamprogram.org