Our Local Programs

Hollow Drive & Northwoods (formerly Templeton) with Dartmouth College Calendar

The Templeton Court Apartments, in White River Junction, Vermont, was the inspiration for and site of the original DREAM program -- upon which all other programs are based. This program has been running consistently since its inception in January 1999. The program has since expanded to include the nearby Hollow Drive Apartments in Hartford, VT. Additionally, Templeton was rebuilt and renamed Northwoods in the Spring of 2004. Northwoods and Hollow Drive are managed by the Vermont State Housing Authority.

Dartmouth is a private liberal arts college of about 4,500 undergraduate and 1,500 graduate students, and is located in Hanover, NH. Over 200 Dartmouth students have participated in DREAM, and there are currently around 65 Dartmouth students paired with an equal number of children, ages 5-13 from Northwoods and, since the spring of 2003, Hollow Drive.

Windsor DREAM (formerly Armory Square) with Dartmouth College Calendar

In the summer of 2002, a few student social-entrepreneurs from the original Dartmouth DREAM program founded another DREAM with the Armory Square Apartments in Windsor, VT (managed by Marken Properties). It quickly had enough mentors for all 25 Armory Square children ages 5-13, and is a model for the energy and enthusiasm DREAM exudes.

Elm Street with the University of Vermont Calendar

The Elm Street Apartments in Winooski (managed by the Winooski Housing Authority) entered a partnership with students from The University of Vermont in the spring of 2002. The University of Vermont is located in Burlington, and has 7,500 undergraduate students and just over 1,000 graduate students. There are approximately 60 families living at Elm Street, and 120 children between the ages of 5-15.

The partnership began with a core group of approximately fifteen mentor matches. The parents and UVM students have worked extremely hard together to create a great program and grow to the current group of thirty-seven mentor matches. The programs’ most recent accomplishment was raising $1,200 at the annual chili cook-off, which the student mentors and children have decided to donate in direct service to children and families who were affected by the hurricanes this past Fall.

Franklin Square with St. Michael's College Calendar

The Franklin Square Apartments in Burlington (managed by the Burlington Housing Authority) were partnered with students from St. Michael's College in Winooski in the late Winter of 2003. St. Michael's is a liberal arts college with approximately 1,800 undergraduates and a small graduate program. There are approximately 60 families living at Franklin Square, and 150 children between the ages of 5-15.

DREAM started with twelve enthusiastic mentors and twelve incredible children. The mentors immediately took off with creating a great weekly program, and planned a trip to Boston as the culmination of their first, though very short, year together. Today the SMC – Franklin Square group has thirty-three mentor matches and has had an amazing semester. They enjoyed meals together celebrating their friendships for both Halloween and Thanksgiving, and are looking forward to their winter holiday celebration and gift exchange.

Green Acres & Highgate with Norwich University Calendar

Mentors from Norwich University are partnered with children from the Green Acres Apartments in Barre. The program began at Norwich University in Northfield in the late fall of 2003. Norwich University is the oldest private military college in the United States. Students who enroll in the Corps of Cadets follow a disciplined military regimen, while civilian students lead a more traditional collegiate lifestyle.

The program currently serves eight children at Green Acres and is considering expanding to another housing community in the area. The group is steadily growing and is dedicated to the children they serve.

Birchwood with Champlain College Calendar

The Birchwood Manor community of mobile homes in Milton, VT (managed by the Milton Housing Authority) started its connection with the students of Champlain College during the fall of 2004. Champlain College is a small, private, career-oriented liberal arts school located in Burlington, VT. The program continues to expand each semester to meet the needs of the community, and has an amazing community feel to it! See their website.

Forest Park with Castleton State College Calendar

The Forest Park Apartments in Rutland, VT (managed by the Rutland Housing Authority) partnered up with students from Castleton State College in Castleton, VT late in the fall of 2004.  Forest Park is one of the largest community sites that has started up a DREAM Program.  Castleton State is a college with a community feel -- with a student body of 1700 full time undergraduate students.

In the fall of 2005 Forest Park DREAM gained incredible momentum with an amazing core of ten children and mentors.  Together this unstoppable program has been pushing the limit for adventures in the Rutland area and around New England!

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Franklin Street with the University of Vermont Calendar

The Franklin Street Apartments in Winooski (managed by the Winooski Housing
Authority) are in the process of entering a partnership with students from The University of Vermont to create the eighth DREAM local program. The University of Vermont is located in Burlington, and has 7,500 undergraduate students and just over 1,000 graduate students. There are approximately 15 families living at Franklin Street, and 30 children between the ages of 5-15.

A core group of approximately ten UVM students worked the DREAM central office staff during the second half of the Fall 2005 Semester. The students and office are planning to have the program running with the children and families mid-February.

Pine Meadows with Middlebury College Calendar

The matching of the Pine Meadows Community in Middlebury, VT with students from Middlebury College is our newest Local Program and began in the fall of 2007. The program is in its budding stages and has been focusing on solidifying a mentor group and becoming more familiar with the children and families in the community. Stay tuned for updates on the program!