Changing Lives
Goals
Our goals are to give at risk children a faith-based safe haven where they can find emotional support, encouragement, and guidance to make life changes through our Educational programs.
Change a Life
Help children develop a meaningful set of values to guide their actions and provide a foundation for sound decisions.
Programs
Educational
Love of Learning – an afterschool intensive one-on-one tutoring for students in the core studies of math and English who are in need of more help and want to improve their grades. The participation in this program is based on report cards, teacher and parent recommendations, and staff endorsement.
Youth Service Learning – an afterschool program for selected middle school and high school youth participate in a high quality, community based service learning through outreach activities that promote community involvement, activities that help identify individual strengths, as well as efforts to promote continued education opportunities
General Homework Assistance – this afterschool program is for any student who needs general homework assistance. Daily the students are encouraged to participate to assure that their homework will get done and with the needed boost of help when and if needed. We also have a computer lab complete with Wi-Fi (Wireless Internet Access) if the child needs to use a computer for his or her homework needs.
Faith Based Programs
Faith Based Programs – our faith based programs take place in the evenings. Monday night we host children in grades K-3, Tuesday High School youth, Wednesday we see Middle School youth, Thursday grades 4, 5, and 6. Our faith based programs use evidence based curriculum featuring goals, objectives, and activities with each lesson plan for the instructors. We also include a Sunday program with transportation for youth and their families they may want to attend church. The Sunday program includes breakfast and lunch.
Nutritional Programs
Nutritional Programs – our nutritional program helps combat childhood obesity by teaching children healthier ways to eat through feeding. Each child receives a nutritious snack when they attend our afterschool programs. A hot meal is prepared and served by volunteer cooking teams. Friday is open to all with the Back Pack Feeding program for which includes enough food for six meals over the weekend
Recreational Programs
Recreational Programs – the Dream Center understands the importance of exercise and recreation in the lives of the children we serve and therefore integrates both of these elements into every thing we do. Our children participate daily in recreational activities indoors and out (as weather allows), sports, field trips, and group activities that promote movement.
Mentoring Programs
Mentoring Programs – the Dream Center offers both adult and peer mentoring and leadership. Our weekly volunteers offer much in guidance, love and nurturing for the children. We also have several of our older youth working with the younger children in our programs. These opportunities for mentorship are usually done in a group atmosphere due to the numbers of youth we serve yet offer a rewarding experience for both the adults and youth.
