"I Have a Dream" Foundation

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Participant Testimonials


Read and Hear for Yourself:

	Teachers
		Ms. Timonen, Forest Grove Middle School	audio	text
		- "I've just seen a higher success rate with the Dreamer students ..."

		Ms. Logan, Forest Grove High School		text
		- "The Dreamer Program is so multi-dimensional with a positive impact on the individual students that it is by far the best program I have come into contact with …"

		Jan Gillespie, retired, Woodlawn Elementary School		text
		- "When the 'I Have a Dream'® program came to our school it energized us as teachers. We were challenged to prepare our students to reach even higher expectations …"

		Matthew W. Prophet, Ph.D. Retired Superintendent, Portland Public Schools
		- "America’s most critical mission is to provide excellent educational opportunities for all of our youth. “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Oregon assists immeasurably in helping our children realize and achieve their highest educational potential."

	Dreamers
		Karina, 8th grade Dreamer	audio	text
		- "Dreamers influenced me a lot... helped me be confident and see other perspective views of things ..."

		Kimisha, Class 4 Dreamer Alumni		text
		- "In high school I had a hard time ...."

		Larry, Class 4 Dreamer
		- "At the beginning of my senior year, trouble really struck home. I didn’t know who to turn to. I hadn’t been involved with Dreamers for a while, but they took me in and forgave me for leaving. My best friend, Norman, also a Dreamer, and his family gave me a place to live so I could finish high school. At the same time the Dreamers also helped my little brother by finding a good foster family for him, so he could also finish school. It’s not just us, the Dreamers, but our families as well that have benefited from the program."

		Danny, 9th grade Dreamer at Forest Grove
		- "If it wasn't for the Dreamers I would most likely be in some kind of trouble. Also, if it wasn't for the Dreamers I would not be in the National Honors Society."

		Amparo, 9th grade Dreamer at Forest Grove
		- "Dreamers has been there for me so many times. Once I was having problems at home and I needed to talk to someone, and Nikki (an IHAD staff member) was there. She listened to me and gave me a hug when I needed it. She also helped me get counseling with a psychologist because I needed professional help."

		Jose, 4th grade Dreamer in Portland
		"Viki (a volunteer) is a nice person because she helps me with my homework and other stuff. Viki likes to play games with me when I finish my homework, but I always have to finish my work first since it is the most important. I read a book with Viki every day she visits. She always shows up on Monday and Wednesday and she is always here before me. Viki brings snacks, fun work, and some games. Viki is important to me because she is funny, patient, and tells me to pay attention to my work and not the other stuff around me. Viki, you are an awesome tutor. Thank you for helping me with my work. I like working with you a lot. I am lucky to have you!"

		William, 4th grade Dreamer in Portland
		- "Dreamers is a great place to be. We have good helpers like Alex, Marissa, Michael, Kati, Alejandra, Andrea, and Tamara. In Dreamers we go to writing workshop and fun activities. We play basketball with Coach Dave. He teaches us how to pass and dribble. We do drills and play games too. We also play football with Michael and Alex. They play our quarterbacks. We play five on five games. Laura helps us with stuff that we need help on. Alex is a great helper too. He helps with homework and class work that we did not finish in class so we don’t get in trouble the next day at school. Laura and Alex took me and five other Dreamers (Loris, Carl, Isiah, Anthony, and Solo) out to pizza and a Blazers game. It was a lot of fun! I am very lucky to be in DREAMERS with all my friends."

		Maya, 4th grade Dreamer in Portland
		- "I started Dreamers this year. When I first came to Dreamers, I met Laura then Marissa. We were playing a new game. I had a fun time going to Waclella Falls in September! It was cold, but pretty. I also went to Tapestry of Tales, a story teller, with Marissa last month. I go to Dreamers after school on Monday and Wednesday. Every time I go, we do our homework or writing workshop. Then we do something fun like computer lab, art, or play outside. Being a Dreamer is fun! I am glad I am in this program!"

	Dreamer parents
		Mother of a 6th grade Forest Grove Dreamer
		- "Queridos representantes señores del programa yo tengo un sueño - Mi hija ha estado en su programa por 4 años. y yo les agradezco por tan lindo trabajo que ustedes realizan con nuestros niños y graciar por que siempre están dispuestos a ayudarme con mi hija darle atención que muchas veces nosotros como padres no podemos en veces darle el sueño o, el deseo que ellos necesitan gracias por todo son tantas cosas que tengo que agradecerles a ustedes."

		- "Dear representatives of I Have a Dream - My daughter has been in your program for 4 years. I am grateful to you for the wonderful work that you perform with our children and thank you for always being available to help me with my daughter give her attention that often we as parents cannot give her at times a dream or, wish that they need thank you for everything there are so many things that I am grateful to you for."

		Mother of a Class 6 Dreamer
		- "Seven years later I still applaud the IHAD program, but it is the awesome staff that has made it such a success. Without the compassion, loyalty, conviction and strong devotion to our children this would have been a long ago forgotten program. I commend the staff for all of their effort. Effort that encourages our children on their path through life with results we all benefit from."		text