The DREAM Program, Madison Park, July-August 2013

dreamprogram.org The DREAM Program @DREAMprogram

The Village Mentoring Organization

The Madison Park Village DREAM Update Summer 2013 Brian Doyle and his fellow Summer Community Interns created, designed, and coordinated another summer filled with engaging activities for all ages. The Madison Park Village and Ruggles-Shawmut Summer DREAM occurred every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from June 24th through August 14th.

Youth Participation:  35 youth from Madison Park Village and Ruggles-Shawmut participated this summer.  11 youth participated on multiple occasions  Participating youth ranged in age from 6-17 years old  13 of the youth that participated are not in school-year DREAM programming.

Some of the youth have been added to the waitlist for school-year DREAM. Other participants only spend the summers with their extended family members and return to their home communities in the fall.

Summer Activities: Onsite activities  Teen Basketball  Youth Field Games  Ice Cream Sundaes and a Movie  Water Games  Arts and Crafts  Teen Focus Group  Outdoor games and contests  Hip-hop class  “Dirt” making and a Movie  New England Tidepools Community Educator presentation  Youth basketball  Kickball  Indoor Board Games and Musical Chairs Offsite activities  Museum of Science  New England Aquarium

41 Dearborn St., Roxbury, MA 02119 | (617) 699-8408 | boston@dreamprogram.org

 Cambridge Pool  Franklin Park Zoo Bigger Events/Trips  Georges Island- This summer Madison Park Village and Ruggles-Shawmut DREAM had several opportunities to visit Georges Island, learn about the historic Fort Warren, enjoy some beach time and a free boat ride. The tickets were generously donated by Boston’s Best Cruises and Boston Harbor Islands.  Boston Bowl-The youth enjoyed a fantastic afternoon of bowling filled with food and laughter.  End of Summer DREAM Party- During the final week of summer DREAM, an end of summer party was held at the Madison Park Community Room and featured juice, pizza, and ice cream. There were over 20 youth in attendance.  Orchestra at the Esplanade- Summer DREAM ended with a trip to the Hatch Shell to listen to the Boston Symphony Orchestra on the Esplanade. It was a great evening filled with wonderful music and final hoorah in celebration of the delightful preceding summer.

Additional Summer Opportunities:  Roseway Sailing Trip- In a new collaborative partnership with The Roseway, Madison Park Village and Ruggles-Shawmut youth along with Orchard Gardens youth participated in an early evening sail out to the outer Boston Harbor Islands.

The youth learned about the parts of the boat, marine life, navigation charts, and local Boston history. The favorite activity for most of the youth was the chance to climb up the mast of the boat.  Trips to Sarah and Jeff’s house- There were two trips to Duxbury where the youth played basketball, jumped on the trampoline; enjoyed delicious food prepared by Friends of DREAM, explored the forest near the house, and reveled in the great weather.  Canoeing Trip with the Youth Opportunities Program- Through the Youth Opportunities Program sponsored by The Appalachian Mountain Club, Madison Park and Ruggles-Shawmut and Orchard Gardens youth participated on a day canoeing trip. Although it rained for most of the trip, the youth had much fun and look forward to the chance to participate on an outdoor adventure again next year.  New England Aquarium Community Educator presentation: Two New England Aquarium Community Educators gave a presentation about marine life that lives in tidepool environments. The youth had the opportunity to touch live animals and ask questions about the different aquatic environments.

Community Collaboration:  National Night Out: This year’s 23rd Annual National Night Out occurred in Edna V. Bynoe Park on August 16, 2013. There had been several postponements due to inclement weather, but the weather was just right for this year’s event. This celebration is for the Orchard Gardens residents, but youth from Madison Park Village were also in attendance. There was face painting, arts and crafts time, food for everyone, and assortment of entertainment and performances for participants. It was a great time for everyone and a nice celebration of summer.



Back to School Ice Cream Social- At the Back to School Ice Cream Social, Madison Park Village residents took pictures, received free backpacks and goody bags, and ate ice cream, which was also generously donated by Hood. DREAM had a craft table where youth were able to make caterpillars, color, chain bracelets, and hats.

DREAM Office:  Registration of new families: Throughout the summer new youth were added into the program. At the end of the summer, those families were asked if they were interested in the waiting list for the school year DREAM program.  Staff transitions: There will be two new staff members Asha Carter and Katie Purcell who will continue the work of previous Americorps member Zahra Ohldin.

Asha Carter is the new Highland Street Corps Ambassador of Mentoring and Katie Purcell is the new Massachusetts Promise Fellow. They will also be expanding on new projects such as increasing mentor diversity, supporting a new Local Program, and developing a Teen curriculum.

Keep DREAMing!

Zahra Ohldin Program Empowerment Director/Mass Promise Fellow/Americorps The DREAM Program 41 Dearborn Street Roxbury, MA 02119 zahra@dreamprogram.org