In Their Own Words

“Thank you for supporting my family with kindness and thoughtfulness over the years.  You have helped make our dream of a college bound daughter come true.” – Dreamer parent

“I think they made us think outside the box and think about college life for a long, long time, probably more than any other kids in high school…”  - Dreamer

“When you have problems at home and you have your friends to talk about it, how are they supposed to help you…when they are thinking the same way you are.  When you have PC’s that you trust and can go talk to they give you that adult advice and like how to handle it…I’ve been through a lot of stuff.  I don’t know what I would have done…”- Dreamer

Alena, a ten year old fourth grade girl, was on the verge of being expelled from her school due to instigating arguments and bullying behavior.  Her Program Coordinators (PC’s) worked closely with school staff and her mother to provide a range of interventions, including a safety plan, extra support and programming before and after school, membership on a track team and encouragement to choreograph two dances that other Dreamers performed for family and friends.  Recently, when asked why she wasn’t at the front of the line next to the teacher, she replied, “I don’t have to do that anymore.  I know how to behave.”

Darren, a ten year old fourth grade boy, experienced a tragic accident last year.  His father, a single dad, was killed while riding his bicycle to pick Darren up from Dreamer programming.  His PC’s met with police, notified his grandparents of what had happened, stayed with Darren while he was told the news, and then supported the other children who were present.  Over the following days, they provided a consistent support system for Darren and his grandparents, as well as all of the other Dreamers and their families.  They also arranged for him to obtain grief counseling and to attend a special summer camp for grieving children.  They continue to provide support to Darren now that he has moved in with other family members and is attending a new school.