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KEVIN SPATES




BOSTON, MA -- When I first joined DREAM, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was getting into. I have worked with children before, but never been given the opportunity to impact a community the way that DREAM has at Madison Park Village. Living in such a close-knit community, children from Madison Park Village do not get much of a chance to see the other side of the fence, which in this case happens to be Northeastern University.

Through weekly programming we have been able to establish relationships with the children. To bring the best out in each one of them their likes, dislikes, hobbies and favorite activities are all considered when planning activities and events. I have seen a few of the children go from shy and quiet to happy and playful, and not only have the mentors come to understand each child, but it is clear that each child has grown to understand us.

Reflecting on our first full year of programming, it is evident that the community is enjoying and embracing our presence. The relationships that have formed are having a positive impact on the lives of both children and mentors. The look on each child’s face when you pick them up, and each parent’s face as they open their door is priceless. It is at this moment that you know you are doing good things for great people.

One of the most rewarding parts of the whole experience has been walking through the community and being recognized. Parents say “Hey DREAM team, my kid can’t wait to come Friday!” and kids run over to talk about how much fun they had and how all their friends want to come. All of this reaffirms the value of mentoring. In a short amount of time, DREAM has been able to affect multiple families in a positive way. The trust we’ve built allows parents to know their children are safe and in good hands.

When children are given the chance to see their potential and realize how far the world can take them, they are more likely to be a positive influence on their own lives. Being a college student, everyday life is filled with classes, homework, papers and exams. Looking forward to a Friday of fun can keep you sane in a world full of stress. If I am someone children from Madison Park can look up to and can help them realize their potential, then I know the experience is worthwhile.

The Willowbrook DREAM Program is proudly holding their second annual VIKING CABARET DINNER on Saturday May 8th, 2010 from 5 - 7 pm, on the Bennington College campus.
In the spring of 2009, Willowbrook DREAMers held a grand event where each mentee had the opportunity to create some form of visual or performing art to present to an audience. Prior to the event, almost all of their kids had never before presented or performed any of their work! Mentors wanted to teach their mentees that art comes in many, many forms - you don't need to be a good painter, singer, or dancer, to do ART! This is a motto that holds high value at Bennington College, where almost all students, even those not majoring in any of the arts, supplement their education with some form of creative arts. At last year's Cabaret, mentees recited original poetry, showed lacrosse tricks, displayed their photographs, sold homemade jewelry, tap danced, and the list goes on!

The Viking Cabaret is open to the general public, with a focus on exciting and attracting Bennington residents, Bennington College students, mentees families, and of course, DREAMers from across the region! A homemade dinner will be served, made from ingredients donated by local Bennington businesses and cooked by college students. During dinner will be a live CABARET, featuring the talents of all mentors and mentees in the Willowbrook DREAM program.

Tickets can be purchased in advance by emailing Faith at ffgriff@gmail.com or calling her at (845-430-4625). Feel free to email or call for any additional information. Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 purchased at the event. All proceeds will support the Willowbrook DREAM Program and be used to fund future projects, trips, and events. On behalf of all the Willowbrook DREAM mentors and mentees, we are very excited to see you at the Viking Cabaret Dinner!

A Note to DREAM Alumni
By, Allison Pratt, Saint Michael’s College DREAM ‘09

Greetings fellow DREAMers! I hope this update finds you all doing well! I wanted to take a second to share the amazing experience I recently had, meeting up with my former DREAM Program.

I graduated from Saint Mike's this past May, and as I'm sure you all know, saying goodbye to DREAM and my mentee was one of the hardest things about graduating. When I found out that Saint Mike’s Culminating Experience this year included a tour of Fenway Park I was super excited! Seeing as I live right around the corner from there, I strolled over and reunited with some old friends and got to meet a lot of new DREAMers too.

I've kept in touch with my mentee, Courtney, via letters, phone calls, and care packages, but nothing compares to actually getting to see her.

I got to the park after the group had already arrived, and all of the sudden I saw Courtney running down the sidewalk as she jumped into my arms. That moment has since become one of my favorite DREAM memories of all time!

I was bummed out when the tour ended and it was time for them to head back to Vermont, but I wouldn’t trade that afternoon for anything. It was awesome to see the program doing so well! I must admit, at first it was a little weird seeing a bunch of people I didn’t recognize, but it made me so happy to know that DREAM is bigger and better than ever!

Often, it is easy to get lost in our busy lives, being “adults” and everything, but reconnecting with your former DREAM Program is probably much easier than you think! By contacting the DREAM Office or even through Facebook, you too can reconnect with old friends and even make some new ones. It worked for me and I got to have one of the best days ever!

DREAM big!

On Friday, April 9th, fifteen DREAM Alumni and friends of DREAM gathered in Allston, MA. for a house party, and an evening of food, fun, and friends! The event also provided, local alumni with an opportunity to brainstorm future regional events including sailing the Boston Harbor Islands, Red Sox games, and challenging Boston’s Local Programs to kick ball games!
Keep an eye out for news and updates on Boston’s DREAM Alumni happenings, and if you are a DREAM alumnus or alumna and you want to plan a regional party in your neck of the woods, send an e-mail to the Alumni Organization’s Community Chairs, Steve Addison at steve@dreamprogram.org or Dylan Nelson at dylan.j.nelson.09@gmail.com.

DREAM's Resource Development Director, Josh Warren, was recently featured in the The Marshfield Mariner, a local paper in Massachusetts.

Read the full article: http://www.wickedlocal.com/marshfield/news/x933814967/Warren-helps-start-DREAM-s-Massachusetts-office