What We Do

Current Program:

In our present program model, we have gone into elementary schools in underserved communities and have “adopted” the entire third grade in a given year. We then follow these students with wraparound services (after school programming, community resources referrals, crisis intervention, mentoring, tutoring, advocacy services), provided by paid professional staff and volunteers, all the way through high school and into college/post secondary education. In addition to ongoing support, information and mentoring, we provide tuition assistance (up to $2000/year for up to 4 years) to those students who receive their high school diploma or GED. At present, we are working with approximately 330 students, from fifth grade into college, attending over 20 public schools and 13 colleges.

Future Directions:

College Completion: Revise/expand core programming to reflect this new end goal.  Previous goal was high school completion and college “participation.”

Whole School Model: Adopt a new whole school approach to core programming rather than the current whole grade level approach – three elementary schools in the next five years, including commitment to enhancing pre-K readiness.

Collaboration and Partnerships: Leverage collaboration and formalize partnerships to increase impact and reduce costs in all three areas above.

For more information about our program, contact Lois Orner, Program Director: kimber.dahlquist@ihaveadreamoregon.org