DREAM Program Awarded AmeriCorps Funding to Support Underserved Youth Across Vermont

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Jon Reidel

Email: jreidel@dreamprogram.org

Phone: (802) 578-0447

The grant will enable 70 AmeriCorps members to support students in 38 low-income and rural communities throughout the state.

WINOOSKI, VT (July 27, 2026) — The DREAM Program, Inc. has been awarded $375,000 from AmeriCorps to expand support for underserved youth across the state of Vermont. The funding will support 70 AmeriCorps members serving in 38 low-income and rural communities in an effort to help close the opportunity gap for 600 Vermont youth.

“We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with SerVermont and excited that they have decided to make a bigger investment in our work to support youth across the state,” said Mike Foote, DREAM co-founder and empowerment director. “These resources ensure that we have the summer counselors, mentoring coordinators, and afterschool enrichment providers needed to deliver our year-round programming. The federal AmeriCorps funding is a meaningful investment in the local economy and in the future of young people across the state.”

DREAM currently partners with 13 low-income housing developments in Vermont to implement Village Mentoring programs supporting underserved youth and also runs Guided Mentoring programs in 19 mostly rural areas that rely on high school and college mentors working with elementary and middle school students. These include programs in Burlington, Winooski, Bennington, Middlebury, Bristol, Rutland, St. Albans, Craftsbury, White River Junction, and other locations. DREAM relies on mentors from Middlebury College, St. Michael’s College, Bennington College, Dartmouth College, and the University of Vermont.

“SerVermont is thrilled that DREAM was selected by AmeriCorps for a competitive award and will be operating an AmeriCorps State program in Vermont,” said Philip Kolling, executive director of SerVermont, Agency of Human Services. 

“SerVermont worked with DREAM to develop an AmeriCorps program focused on improving educational outcomes for Vermont students, including through a planning grant, and this award is a result of that close collaboration. Those efforts will now result in more AmeriCorps members getting things done for Vermont students.”

In addition to the Vermont grant, DREAM also secured $1.4 million in national grants from AmeriCorps to expand support for underserved youth across the Northeast. The funding will support 334 AmeriCorps members serving in 40 low-income communities throughout New England, Washington, DC, New York, and Pennsylvania.

DREAM will recruit, train, and support AmeriCorps members to expand opportunities for youth in these metropolitan areas and Vermont by strengthening educational programming, building mentor relationships, and increasing access to transformative outdoor experiences. Members will leverage volunteers to serve as mentor coordinators, afterschool enrichment facilitators, outdoor access providers, and camp counselors, helping build confidence, connection, and lifelong skills.

AmeriCorps cited DREAM's application for providing “strong” research-based evidence—the highest category under its rating system—in support of the impact of its past and current programming. The application demonstrated significant gains in academic motivation and performance, college-going aspirations, growth mindset, broader worldviews, and social-emotional competencies. In addition, 95% of mentees reported that their mentoring relationship was important to them.

AmeriCorps members will also support the following four Core Pillars of DREAM Summer Programming: 

• Inspiring Artists and Creators: Providing a vibrant platform for self-expression, imagination, and cultural exploration while harboring a sense of belonging and identity.

• Fostering Creative Problem Solvers: Encouraging critical thinking, teamwork, and resilience through interactive, hands-on challenges.

• Developing Competent Readers: A high-energy literacy focus aimed at preventing the "summer slide" and keeping kids on track for grade-level proficiency. 

• Boosting Healthy Minds and Bodies: Promoting lifelong physical wellness, nutritious eating habits, and strong social-emotional health.

DREAM has been working to close the opportunity gap for children and teens through community collaboration and sustained mentoring since 1999. The non-profit offers six no-cost programs tailored to the needs and aspirations of young people living in affordable housing communities resulting in positive outcomes.

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Full-time AmeriCorps State and National volunteers engage more than 50,000 Americans in intensive service each year. They receive a modest living allowance, health care, and child care. Upon successful completion of a service term, volunteers earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which can be used to repay qualified student loans or to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/Serve.