Programs

  • Program 1 [2018]

    SEE SCHEDULE OYOUTH PROGRAMS:YOUNG STARS IS AN EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS THE ACADEMIC GROWTH AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OF 1ST - 8TH GRADE STUDENTS FROM LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS. YOUNG STARS PLACES A STRONG EMPHASIS ON LITERACY AND DEVELOPING A CULTURE OF READING, USING AGE-APPROPRIATE LEVELED BOOKS, GUIDED READING, AND BALANCED LITERACY METHODOLOGY TO INCREASE READING FLUENCY AND COMPREHENSION. IN ADDITION, STUDENTS HAVE EXTENSIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP THEIR PERSONAL INTERESTS THROUGH SPECIAL PROJECTS, EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, FIELD TRIPS, CULTURAL EVENTS, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. IN SOME COMMUNITIES THE PROGRAM OPERATES LIKE AN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM AND IN OTHER COMMUNITIES INSIDE THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS READING INTERVENTION PROGRAMS. STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE YOUNG STARS PROGRAM SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THEIR ACADEMIC SKILLS IN LITERACY AND MATH, IMPROVE THEIR ABILITIES TO THINK INDEPENDENTLY AND CRITICALLY, ENGAGE IN PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND PARTNER WITH THEIR FAMILIES TO REINFORCE LEARNING IN THE HOME. THIS PROGRAM REACHES MORE THAN 350 STUDENTS ACROSS 5 DREAM-AFFILIATED SCHOOL SITES PER YEAR. INTENSIVE SUMMER SCHOOLS AND CAMPS TARGET STUDENTS AGES 8 - 14 WHO ARE MOST AT-RISK OF DROPPING OUT, INCREASING THEIR POTENTIAL TO GRADUATE FROM PRIMARY SCHOOL AND BECOME LIFELONG LEARNERS. THE FOUR-WEEK, HALF-DAY PROGRAM EMPHASIZES LITERACY AND MATH SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTES CRITICAL THINKING. IN ADDITION TO ACADEMIC CLASSES, STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN A VARIETY OF ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES INCLUDING ART, SPORTS, SWIMMING, MUSIC, AND LIFE SKILLS. THE SUMMER SCHOOL AND CAMP IS ALSO DESIGNED AS AN INTENSIVE TEACHER TRAINING EXPERIENCE FOR LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS. SELECTED TEACHERS CO-TEACH WITH EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COACHES, WHO MODEL NEW INSTRUCTIONAL AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND HELP FACILITATE STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS. THIS MODEL ENABLES PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS TO ULTIMATELY IMPROVE THEIR INSTRUCTION, INCREASING STUDENT LEARNING THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR. MORE THAN 800 STUDENTS ACROSS FIVE DREAM SITES PARTICIPATE IN THE SUMMER SCHOOLS AND CAMPS EACH YEAR. A GANAR, A YOUTH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED IN MORE THAN 16 COUNTRIES ACROSS LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN, WAS DEVELOPED BY PARTNERS OF THE AMERICAS. DREAM CURRENTLY WORKS WITH FUNDS FROM THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (USAID) UNDER THE ALERTA JOVEN PROJECT TO REPLICATE THE PROGRAM ALONG THE NORTH COAST. THE PROGRAM UTILIZES SOCCER AND OTHER TEAM SPORTS TO PROVIDE YOUTH WITH THE TRAINING, SUPPORT, AND SKILLS NEEDED TO SECURE A JOB AND/OR RE-ENTER THE FORMAL EDUCATION SYSTEM. A GANAR IS COMPOSED OF FOUR PHASES THAT FOCUS ON EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS, MARKET-DRIVEN TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL SKILLS, SUPERVISED PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIPS, AND FOLLOW-UP COACHING RELATED TO JOB PREPARATION, SEARCH, AND PLACEMENT. DREAM IS ONE OF SEVERAL IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATIONS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. OUR WORK ON THE NORTH COAST HAS GRADUATED MORE THAN 750 AT-RISK YOUTH AGES 17 - 24 VIA SIX INTENSIVE COURSES COMPRISED OF 375 HOURS EACH.OUR ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) PROGRAM EMPLOYS EXPERIENCED ESL TEACHERS AND VOLUNTEERS TO LEAD LANGUAGE CLASSES THAT EMPHASIZE CONVERSATION AND AUTHENTIC COMMUNICATION. NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS MODEL THE LANGUAGE AND PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD THEIR CONFIDENCE IN SPEAKING A NEW LANGUAGE WHILE PRACTICING NEW WORDS AND PHRASES. ENGLISH CLASSES REGULARLY PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO PUT THEIR SKILLS TO THE TEST THROUGH ROLE-PLAYS, INTERVIEWS AND OTHER REAL-LIFE SCENARIOS. ESL CLASSES ARE OFFERED FREE TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ARE ALSO INTEGRATED INTO OTHER YOUTH PROGRAMS. IN 2017, DREAM STARTED TEACHER TRAINING FOR ESL TEACHERS IN THE PUERTO PLATA PUBLIC SCHOOLS THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE US EMBASSY AND WORLD LEARNING.DEPORTES PARA LA VIDA (DPV) FOCUSES ON CHANGING THE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES OF YOUTH IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE THE SPREAD OF HIV/AIDS AND ENCOURAGE HEALTHY DECISION-MAKING. THE PROGRAM RECOGNIZES THAT YOUTH LEARN BEST THROUGH INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES. THE FUN OF SPORTS AND GAMES IS LEVERAGED TO TEACH STUDENTS ABOUT HIV TRANSMISSION AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE BODY, WHILE ALSO TEACHING THEM HOW TO AVOID RISKY PARTNERS, MANAGE RISKY SITUATIONS, REDUCE STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION, AND ELIMINATE GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE. THE PROGRAM USES A PEER-TO-PEER EDUCATION MODEL, WHERE LOCAL YOUTH TRAINED AS DPV COACHES DELIVER THE CURRICULUM, SERVE AS MENTORS, AND DEVELOP THEIR OWN LEADERSHIP ABILITIES. THROUGH A COLLABORATION WITH PEACE CORPS, MORE THAN 350 COACHES HAVE BEEN TRAINED SINCE 2010 WITH NEARLY 2,500 YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN DPV PROGRAMS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO INCLUDE A GIRLS' CURRICULUM, UNICA, AND BOYS' CURRICULUM, LUCHADORES POR EL CAMBIO.THE MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAM HAS TWO STRANDS: THE IASO BACHATA ACADEMY @ DREAM, FOUNDED BY BOARD MEMBER BENJAMIN DE MENIL, AND THE CONTEMPORARY MUSIC PROGRAM. THE TWO PROGRAMS HAVE WORKED ALONG-SIDE EACH OTHER SINCE JANUARY 2013, FORMALIZING THEIR CURRICULUM AND TEACHING METHODOLOGY TO FORM YOUNG MUSICIANS ACCORDING TO EACH PROGRAM'S PARTICULAR NEEDS. IASO FOCUSES ON GUITAR, PERCUSSIONS (CONGA, TAMBURA) AND SAXOPHONE, AND THE CONTEMPORARY MUSIC PROGRAM FOCUSES ON GUITAR, BASS, DRUMS, AND PIANO.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jul 1, 2017 – Jun 30, 2018
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $567.2K

  • Program 2 [2018]

    SEE SCHEDULE OCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS:DREAM PUBLIC LIBRARIES ARE BUILT DIRECTLY INTO DREAM EDUCATION CENTERS OR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SERVING STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH A VAST SELECTION OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS AND YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE. OVER 350 STUDENTS ATTEND LIBRARY PROGRAMS, AND TEACHERS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS USE THE BOOKS IN THEIR CLASSROOMS.TEACHER TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ENSURE THAT TEACHERS ARE EQUIPPED WITH INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES, HAVE ACCESS TO OTHER EFFECTIVE TEACHERS, AND RECEIVE THE REGULAR SUPPORT THAT IS CRITICAL TO DEVELOPING THEIR SKILLS AS EDUCATORS. DREAM'S TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMS TARGET PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS, FUTURE TEACHERS STUDYING EDUCATION, AND CURRENT TEACHERS IN DREAM PROGRAMS. OUR PROGRAMS USE A COMBINATION OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING, LESSON MODELING, WORKSHOPS, AND COACHING TO DEVELOP HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS.THE LUCEROS (LUCHANDO POR DERECHOS HUMANOS) DOCUMENTATION PROGRAM HELPS SECURE BIRTH CERTIFICATES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHO LACK IDENTITY DOCUMENTS. DEDICATED STAFF WORK WITH FAMILIES TO COLLECT NECESSARY PAPERWORK, PROVIDING STEP-BY-STEP GUIDANCE THROUGH THE PROCESS OF DECLARING THEIR CHILD. IN ADDITION TO RESOLVING CASES, DREAM FOCUSES ON PREVENTION BY FACILITATING EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND THE NEED TO DECLARE CHILDREN ON TIME. DREAM ALSO ADVOCATES PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO AN IDENTITY AND A NATIONALITY FOR DOMINICAN CHILDREN OF HAITIAN DESCENT, WHOSE ACCESS TO DOCUMENTATION IS PARTICULARLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES.OUR PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM ENCOURAGES PARENTS TO BE ACTIVE PARTNERS IN THE EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILD. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON SPECIFIC STRATEGIES THAT PARENTS CAN USE TO SUPPORT CHILD DEVELOPMENT, CREATE A POSITIVE HOME ENVIRONMENT, AND REINFORCE WHAT THEIR CHILD IS LEARNING AT SCHOOL. PARENT EDUCATION IS A CORE FEATURE OF THE MONTESSORI EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND YOUNG STARS AT-RISK YOUTH PROGRAMS. REGULAR WORKSHOPS AND SPECIAL EVENTS KEEP PARENTS CONNECTED WITH THE SCHOOL. IN ADDITION, MONTESSORI PARENTS MUST COMPLETE SEVERAL HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE TO THE SCHOOL EACH MONTH. THE ESCUELITA DE PADRES PROGRAM TARGETS MOTHERS OF 2-YEAR OLDS WHO WILL EVENTUALLY ENROLL IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS. THESE INTERACTIVE SESSIONS HELP STIMULATE THE EARLY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE MONTESSORI STUDENTS, AND ALLOW PARENTS TO PRACTICE TECHNIQUES THAT FOSTER HEALTHY PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION. HOME VISITS BY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ENSURE THAT PARENTS ARE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT AT HOME WHAT THEY LEARNED IN THE PROGRAM.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jul 1, 2017 – Jun 30, 2018
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $372.5K

  • Program 3 [2018]

    SEE SCHEDULE OMONTESSORI EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM; DREAM'S EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM IS BASED ON THE MONTESSORI METHOD, A CHILD-CENTERED EDUCATIONAL APPROACH DEVELOPED BY DR. MARIA MONTESSORI THAT IS BASED ON SCIENTIFIC OBSERVATIONS OF CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO ADULTHOOD. THE MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY IS THAT CHILDREN ARE NATURALLY EAGER FOR KNOWLEDGE AND CAPABLE OF INITIATING LEARNING IN A SUPPORTIVE, THOUGHTFULLY PREPARED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. THE MONTESSORI APPROACH VALUES THE HUMAN SPIRIT AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHOLE CHILD - PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND COGNITIVE. CERTIFIED MONTESSORI TEACHERS FACILITATE A SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH STUDENTS CAN GROW AND DEVELOP AT THEIR OWN PACE, DEVELOPING SELF-CONFIDENCE AND DISCIPLINE AS THEY EXPLORE THE WORLD AROUND THEM. CHILDREN ARE ALSO PROVIDED WITH A HEALTHY SNACK TO FULFILL THEIR NUTRITIONAL NEEDS DURING THE DAY. MORE THAN 500 CHILDREN AGES 3-7 BENEFIT FROM MONTESSORI EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT FIVE DIFFERENT DREAM-AFFILIATED SCHOOL SITES. DREAM ALSO SUPPORTS THREE ADDITIONAL SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY TO GROW THEIR OWN HIGH QUALITY PROGRAM.GLOBAL CONNECTION GROUPS: THESE TRIPS ARE OFFERED TO SCHOOLS ABROAD (USUALLY IN THE US AND CANADA) TO SEND PARTICIPANTS TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TO COMPLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS. PROJECTS INCLUDE TEACHING SUBJECTS IN LOCAL SCHOOLS, PROVIDING IN-SERVICE TRAINING FOR LOCAL TEACHERS, CONSTRUCTION, REPAIRS, AND PAINTING IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES, AMONG OTHER PROJECTS.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jul 1, 2017 – Jun 30, 2018
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $318.4K