Dream Project Inc

DREAM PROJECTS EMPOWERS STUDENTS WHOSE IMMIGRATION STATUS CREATES BARRIERS TO EDUCATION BY WORKING WITH THEM TO ACCESS AND SUCCEED IN COLLEGE THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS, MENTORING, FAMILY ENGAGEMENT, AND ADVOCACY

SCHOLARSHIPS: THE DREAM PROJECT AWARDS RENEWABLE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS, COMMONLY KNOWN AS DREAMERS, IN VIRGINIA. THE DREAM SCHOLARSHIP IS AWARDED TO TALENTED IMMIGRANT STUDENTS WHO DEMONSTRATE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, LEADERSHIP, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND PERSEVERANCE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY.

MENTORING: THE DREAM PROJECT ALSO PROVIDES A MENTORING PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SCHOLARS WHO ARE TRANSFERRING TO A FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY. IN BOTH CASES, MENTEES ARE MATCHED WITH A MENTOR WHO OFFERS GUIDANCE THROUGH THE COLLEGE AND SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS. MENTORING PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS ALSO BUILD HABITS AND SKILLS THAT PROMOTE SUCCESS IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.

SCHOLAR, ALUMNI AND FAMILY SUPPORT:DREAM PROJECT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS AND COLLEGE GRADUATES ARE ADDITIONALLY SUPPORTED BY THE ORGANIZATION THROUGH ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMMING. FIRST, THE DREAM PROJECT HOSTS AN ANNUAL DREAM SUMMIT FOR THESE STUDENTS AND YOUNG GRADUATES. THIS WEEK-LONG CONFERENCE COVERS A RANGE OF TOPICS RELEVANT AND IMPORTANT TO ENSURING COLLEGE RETENTION, GRADUATION, AND PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS. DREAM SCHOLARS AND ALUMNI ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR FUNDING THROUGH ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT STRUCTURES. ONE THAT IS AVAILABLE IS THE HERMAN LOAN PROGRAM, THE MOLLY AND JOSEPH HERMAN DREAM SCHOLAR LOAN FUND PROVIDES INTEREST-FREE LOANS TO ELIGIBLE STUDENTS ONLY TO PAY FOR UNEXPECTED EMERGENCIES, AS WELL AS DACA APPLICATION FEES PAYABLE ONLY TO USCIS. STUDENTS MAY RECEIVE MULTIPLE LOANS, EACH LOAN UP TO $2000 AND ONLY PAYABLE DIRECTLY TO THE SCHOOL, FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES. REPAYMENT FOR NON-DACA LOANS COMMENCES AFTER GRADUATION AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN TWO YEARS, THOUGH THE COMMITTEE MAY IMPOSE OTHER TERMS OR CONDITIONS. DACA LOANS ARE REPAID IN MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS OVER FIVE MONTHS. THE FUND IS ADMINISTERED BY THE MOLLY AND JOSEPH HERMAN DREAM SCHOLAR LOAN FUND COMMITTEE.ANOTHER FINANCIAL SUPPORT STRUCTURE IS THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND FOR DREAMERS, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANTS ARE PROVIDED TO HELP STUDENTS PAY FOR RENT, FOOD, UTILITIES, AND HEALTHCARE. ALSO RELATED TO COVID-19 STUDENT SUPPORT, THE DREAM PROJECT EMPLOYS A CASE MANAGER WHO CONNECTS STUDENTS WITH OTHER COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT RESOURCES WHICH PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RENT, FOOD, AND PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS AND SERVICES. FINALLY, THE DREAM PROJECT PARTNERS WITH AN ORGANIZATION CALLED BEYOND 12 THAT PROVIDES COLLEGE COACHING SERVICES FOR FRESHMAN STUDENTS AND STUDENTS WHO ARE TRANSFERRING FROM TWO- TO FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES. MOST DREAM PROJECT STUDENTS ARE THE FIRST IN THEIR FAMILIES TO ATTEND COLLEGE, SO THIS COACHING SERVICE IS OFTEN CRITICAL FOR THEIR SUCCESS.

COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVOCACY:THE DREAM PROJECT FURTHER WORKS TO SPREAD AWARENESS ABOUT THE STRUGGLES THAT OUR DREAM SCHOLARS AND FAMILIES FACE, AND SUPPORTS PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS WHO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR RIGHTS. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH TRADITIONAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA STREAMS, PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY COALITIONS/GROUPS, AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS.