"I Have A Dream" Foundation

Happy National Read a Book Day! At The “I Have A Dream” Foundation, we believe in the power of early literacy skills to shape a child’s future academic success. Each day, our program staff work hard to plant the seeds for a lifelong love of reading and learning, introducing Dreamer Scholars to a world of endless possibilities between the pages. Celebrate with us by finding your favorite book and sharing the magic with the young people in your life today.

The first week of August, IHDF staff members from across the network gathered in New York City for our annual staff conference. Our mission was to define key organizational metrics to better track our impact and drive growth, share tools and strategies for continuous improvement, and inspire one another with success stories and collaboration. Described by one of our affiliate leaders as an “annual family reunion,” the conference is always an uplifting time to learn together, enhance our collective effectiveness, and achieve our goals. The “I Have A Dream” Foundation’s commitment to supporting Dreamer Scholars from first grade to first job makes a lasting impact, but not just on the lives of our students. Our dedicated team members are truly the heart of our organization, and their long-term dedication speaks volumes. Across the network, 20% of our team members have served for more than 5 years, and half of those individuals have been with us for more than 10. We believe this track record is a testament to the meaningful work we’re doing together. Here’s to continuing to learn from our Dreamer Scholars and one another, year after year!

Happy #backtoschool! As Dreamer Scholars across our network sharpen their pencils and prepare to embark on new adventures, we at IHDF are thrilled to walk alongside them every step of the way—from first grade to first job, kindergarten to career. Together, we open doors to the experiences and opportunities dreams are made of. Wishing all our Dreamer Scholars a happy, healthy, and inspiring new year of learning! Let’s make it unforgettable. 🌟

Thank you for your partnership and a great conversation!

Hey there talented LinkedIn community! "I Have A Dream" Foundation Milwaukee is hiring for a Director of Program Services! If you or someone in your network is passionate about ensuring that Milwaukee kids have what they need to thrive holistically and they're excited to help build something incredible with us, please review and apply/have them apply. Tagging some of our board and national leadership so you know more about the absolute bosses you're going to get to collaborate with: Gina Stilp, Anthony McHenry, Trish P., Joanne MacInnes Grunau, Sumaiyah Clark, Mary Kellner, John Richter, Sarah Jelencic, Margaret Henningsen, Barry Mandel, John Fowler, Otis Hackney, Richard Rivera, Lori Canova, Nadira Chase Saunders (She, Her, Hers)...just to name a few ;)

The 2024 DreamUP Conference was a success! Last week, 29 high school and post-secondary age Dreamer Scholars traveled to San Francisco for our annual college immersion experience. Scholars and program staff explored the campuses of UC Berkeley and the University of San Francisco, where they attended workshops on topics like interviewing skills, workplace communication, digital literacy, and the history of student activism from the Civil Rights era to the present. In addition to soaking up the sun at the beach, taking in views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and putting their skills to the test with a scavenger hunt, another highlight was a personalized tour of the Salesforce Headquarters, where Scholars met with representatives from Latinoforce, an equality resource group dedicated to empowering Latinx employees and allies within the company. Click here to learn more about our organization and how you can get involved today: https://lnkd.in/gMFJzrcR 📸: Dream UP attendees!

Great opportunity in Milwaukee!

For more than 40 years, mentoring has been a core component of the “I Have A Dream” Foundation program and its success. IHDF matches Dreamer Scholars with consistent, trusted adults to provide long-term support and encouragement, along with exposure to a variety of positive academic, cultural, civic, and social experiences. IHDF mentors establish relationships with their mentees and their families built on trust, guidance and connection, and the rewards for both mentors and mentees are immeasurable. Are you ready to share your time and talents with the young people we serve? To learn more about becoming an IHDF Mentor, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/g-_Z3vsU.

Please join us in extending our heartfelt gratitude to the six undergraduate interns joining us this summer from the University of Chicago! We value our ongoing partnership with UChicago and appreciate the hard work, dedication and creativity of our incredible interns. Thank you for being a part of our team! 

Celebrating Independence Day is so much more than fireworks and barbecues – it's about coming together as a community and spending quality time with family and friends. We wish everyone in the “I Have A Dream” Foundation family a safe and happy holiday weekend! 🎆