Dare to Dream Fund's Blog

Dear Dare to Dream Supporters,

On June 2nd, Dare to Dream Fund celebrated it’s two-year anniversary.  Two years ago, many of you supported us in this journey and for that we are truly grateful.  To commemorate this milestone, we have some exciting news for you!

On behalf of Imagine College and Dare to Dream Fund, we are pleased to announce that we are now officially operating as one.  Our combination unites two organizations with a common goal towards student success. Our mission will continue to encourage collaborative efforts addressing the drop-out crisis.

Imagine College believes that all students can graduate successfully from high school and pursue a postsecondary education. Our work in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, starting in 2003, has brought hope to the community of Seaside, California by providing:

• An opportunity for each student to receive a $4,000 college scholarship
• An opportunity to attend the Summer Scholar Institute at California State University Monterey Bay
• Additional teacher professional development and coaching

Dare to Dream Fund was created with a singular vision-that every young person can live a purposeful life and fulfill their goals and dreams. Dare to Dream provides programming and tools:

• To support students, parents & teachers with innovative on-line tools (iResult®, iConnect®, iTeach® and iParent®)
• To publish student books in order to develop individual goals and to bring focus to the steps required to achieve them
• To collaborate with leading youth organizations in Monterey County

This combination of Imagine College and Dare to Dream significantly enhances our ability to:

• Provide user-friendly ways to leverage technology for our students, parents & teachers
• Provide greater assistance in the critical strategic planning necessary to coordinate the many outside service providers serving the Seaside Learning Community, and
• Provide evaluation and assessment tools

Together, we provide a platform that will have greater impact, resources and ability to execute a strategy that supports youth.
This merger is consistent with our vision of true collaboration.  We will continue to create the kind of organization focused on results, academic success for youth, innovative solutions and daring to dream.  On behalf of the new Imagine College Leadership Team, we look forward to continuing our work with all of our partners who are serving the youth and families in this community.

In gratitude,

Dawn Verdick, COO

Nina Rosete, Vice President

We wanted to start by sharing an excerpt from a scholarship acceptance speech that one of our “Dreamers” wrote.  She won the Good Tidings Foundation scholarship which will go towards her college tuition.

“It was through Dare to Dream that I actually gained the confidence I needed to apply for this scholarship. I stitched my heart into every little typed word, posted my essay on Dare to Dream’s iConnect so I could get feedback on it, and used that feedback to construct my final essay.

It has always been my dream to attend a university, but like so many kids out there, I feared I couldn’t afford it. But I Dared to Dream. I kept dreaming, hoping for a way to overcome that. I kept dreaming of the day I’d be able to study biology in hopes of one day becoming a doctor—lots of dreams, all tied together in one big dream.”
– Cynthia Gonzalez, North Salinas High School Class of 2010

And this is why we do what we do, so the youth of our great nation can realize that anything is possible!

We are very pleased to announce that Dare to Dream Fund was chosen to receive a matching grant up to $100,000!

Which means every dollar you donate to Dare to Dream between now and December 31 will be matched by the Monterey County Weekly Community Fund.  Please, make education a priority this holiday season, our youth and our future are depending on it!

Here’s how you can contribute and be the change:

1)  Log in and print out the Donor Form (http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/files/donationform.pdf)
2) Select “Dare to Dream Fund” (#17)
3) Make a check payable to “Monterey County Weekly Community Fund”
4) Mail the form along with the check to the address on the form (668 Williams Ave. Seaside, CA 93955)

We realize that this may not be as simple as you are used to.  Unfortunately, this is beyond our control.  We do appreciate you taking these extra steps to support the vital work that we do.

We thank you for all of your support over the past year, without you, Dare to Dream would not have had the opportunity to serve close to 500 youth…and that number is only going to get bigger!

Thank you, and in closing, we would like to share another excerpt from one of our Dreamers, a 1^st generation college student, who made it to Princeton University.

“In Dare to Dream’s iConnect, I know and I can feel that we believe in each other. We are willing to take some time off to help each other. And even if we don’t say anything, just knowing that we’re there for each other makes Dare to Dream a home; a family. What makes iConnect and DTD so special? The people, the dreams, the aspirations, inspirations, hard work, creativity, the smiles, the tears, the fears, the courage, the connections, the emotions, the environment…YOU!”

- Leticia Garcia-Romo, Princeton University Class of 2013

In gratitude,

The Dare to Dream Fund Family

47% – Do you know what this number is?

It’s Monterey County’s high school drop-out rate.  We know how this must make you feel but how does it really affect you?

Where education ISN’T a priority, violence prevails, poverty wins and there is never an easy cure for hopelesness. And it’s not just about “those” kids, it’s about OUR kids.

You have the power to change this.

Dare to Dream Fund’s supporters, family & friends have an extraordinary opportunity to make education a priority this holiday season.  Thanks to the Monterey County Weekly Community Fund, every dollar donated to Dare to Dream will be matched up to $100,000.

What does this mean to you?  It means that you have a chance to support Dare to Dream in our mission to ensure that every young person has the advocacy it needs to be academically successful, graduate from high school, go to college and be prepared for life.

Here’s how you can make a change:

1) Print-out the Fund’s Donor Form: http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/files/donationform.pdf
2) Select “Dare to Dream Fund” (#17)
3) Make a check payable to “Monterey County Weekly Community Fund”
4) Mail the form along with the check to the address on the form.

Everyday at Dare to Dream, we’re finding better ways to deliver educational resources & services to youth.  We’re creating solutions that bring our community’s resources together so that collectively, our work leads to one outcome–every young person succeeds in life no matter their background, their circumstances or their means.  YOU are part of this solution.  Together, we are on a path that will ensure education is a priority.

Dare to dream with us.

Dare to Dream Fund will be a speaker in the “Communicating Change in A Complex World” conference at the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS).  It’s a unique opportunity to hear from and connect with over a dozen leading professionals working in social media, marketing and movement-building. Participants will share insights on the utility of cutting-edge practices and technologies in promoting social change locally and globally. The one-day gathering will explore ways to transform conventional wisdom in areas ranging from development and sustainability to human rights and conflict resolution.

Nina Rosete, Dare to Dream Fund’s Executive Director, will be in the “Empowered Communities: The Art & Science of Building Networks” panel which will focus on the potential of modern technology to weave global networks of empowered communities around issues of human rights and sustainability.  Dare to Dream’s central focus will be on iConnect and how its Dreamers have created a community of their own using this innovative peer-to-peer & peer-to-expert network for youth.

The panel will be on Friday, November 20th 10-11:30am Pacific.  The panel will be broadcast live on the link below.  Please join us live or on-line!

Conference Live Streaming Video: http://communicators4change.org/?p=593

Thank you for your support!!!

In gratitude,
THE DARE TO DREAM FAMILY

For more information on Dare to Dream’s iConnect, please visit www.daretodreamfund.org.

Thank you for supporting Dare to Dream Fund!  It has been a busy and exciting time for us.  This month, we are very proud to announce our partnerships with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County and Imagine College.  Both partnerships reaffirm our collaborative approach to addressing academic success for all young people.  We look forward to the results we create with our collaborative partners in the coming years.

Our Partnership with Imagine College

We are partnering with Imagine College to provide student advocacy, mentoring and academic support resources for Imagine College scholars.  The initiative is designed to increase academic success and make the dream of a college education a reality for students attending Seaside High School. Beginning with the Class of 2013, participation in Dare to Dream’s goal achievement programs is now a requirement in order for students to become eligible for an Imagine College scholarship.  Students will attend goal achievement, life preparedness and leadership workshops while learning how to set goals and create action plans to achieve them.  “Imagine College is excited about its new partnership with Dare to Dream,” says Carol Lenters, Director of Imagine College. “This partnership provides the student advocacy piece needed to help students achieve their personal goals as well as assist them in obtaining the Imagine College Scholarship of $4,000.”

“Be Great: Graduate” Initiative with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County

We are partners with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County for its “Be Great: Graduate” initiative. The initiative is Boys & Girls Club of America’s national academic success strategy focusing on engagement in school and learning.  The Boys & Girls Club of Monterey County was chosen as one of only ten sites nation-wide to pilot the initiative. The goal of this 5-year initiative is to identify 50 middle school students from across Monterey County and provide them with the mentoring, academic support and advocacy resources they need to graduate from high school.  It is part of a larger project designed to increase high school graduation rates across our nation.  Dare to Dream Fund will support this mission by providing advocacy resources through its on-site and on-line programs.  Along with Dare to Dream Fund, the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District and Imagine College are recognized as education partners for the initiative.

We’re Celebrating One of Our Young Authors, Tanae Gabot

One of our young authors recently published a book of her own poetry, photography and art.  We are proud to have been part of this project and we would like to share her story with you.  To learn more about how we came to support Tanae with fulfilling this dream, click here.

You Can Now Donate Your Gift Cards to Dare to Dream

We now have the ability to accept gift cards as donations.  We know many of you want to support our cause, so we work hard to expand the different ways you can contribute to our important work.  If you have a gift card worth at least $25, then you can donate it to us by clicking here.

Thank you for continuing to champion our youth and helping them achieve their dreams!  Our growth and the impact we make in our community’s youth is due to your support and for that we are truly grateful.

In gratitude,

The Dare to Dream Fund Family

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact information:

Nina M. Rosete

Executive Director

395 Del Monte Center, #231

Monterey, CA 93940

Phone: 831.534.5252 x2

Email: nina@daretodreamfund.org

Web: http://www.daretodreamfund.org

Dare to Dream Fund Announces Partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County for the “Be Great: Graduate” Initiative

Monterey, CA (October 20, 2009) – Dare to Dream Fund is pleased to announce its partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County for its “Be Great: Graduate” initiative. The initiative is Boys & Girls Club of America’s national academic success strategy focusing on engagement in school and learning.

The Boys & Girls Club of Monterey County was chosen as one of only ten sites nation-wide to pilot the initiative. The goal of this 5 year initiative is to identify 50 middle school students from across Monterey County and provide them with the mentoring, academic support and advocacy resources they need to graduate from high school.  It is part of a larger project designed to increase high school graduation rates across our nation.  Dare to Dream Fund will support this mission by providing advocacy resources through its on-site and on-line platforms.

“We are very excited about partnering with Dare to Dream to address the drop out crisis,” Michelle Slade, Vice Preside of Program Development & Services of the Boys & Girls clubs of Monterey County shares.  “Their technological savvy will help us harness our youth’s interest in and use of social media in innovative ways that helps our youth define their goals and have easy of access to mentors to help them achieve their goals.”

Along with Dare to Dream Fund, the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District and Imagine College are recognized as education partners for the initiative.

“We are proud to be recognized as an education partner by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County, and we are particularly proud to be part of this important and ground-breaking initiative,“ says Dawn Verdick, Founder & President of Dare to Dream Fund. “We are strong believers that by leveraging our collaborative partnerships across Monterey County, we have the ability to make an exponential impact, change lives and be true to our vision of serving young people in achieving their goals.”

About Dare to Dream Fund

Dare to Dream Fund is an educational 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Dare to Dream was created with a singular vision—that every young person recognizes the power within them to live purposeful lives committed to fulfilling their goals and dreams.  We believe that by combining community collaboration, student-centric advocacy and goal achievement programming, we have an opportunity to create an unprecedented future for our nation’s youth.  Dare to Dream on-site and on-line programs inspire young people to discover & commit to achieving their dreams. For more information, please visit us as www.daretodreamfund.org.

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County has played an integral role in the community for over 40 years, providing daily programs and services to nearly 1,000 young people daily. The Club is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. during summer and school breaks and from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. when school is in session.   BGCMC offers programs that emphasize character and leadership development, education and career enhancement, health and life skills, the arts, and sports, fitness and recreation.  For more information, visit www.bgcmc.org.

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CASA teen shares story of tenacity – MontereyHerald.com :

Shared via AddThis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact information:

Nina M. Rosete

Executive Director

395 Del Monte Center, #231

Monterey, CA 93940

Phone: 831.534.5252 x2

Email: nina@daretodreamfund.org

Web: http://www.daretodreamfund.org

Dare to Dream Fund Announces Partnership with Imagine College

Monterey, CA (October 14, 2009) – Dare to Dream Fund is pleased to announce its partnership with Imagine College to provide student advocacy, mentoring and academic support resources for Imagine College scholars.  It is part of a larger initiative designed to increase academic success and make the dream of a college education a reality for students attending Seaside High School.

“Our partnership with Imagine College reaffirms our collaborative approach to addressing academic success for all young people,” says Dawn Verdick, Founder & President of Dare to Dream Fund. “We are strong believers that strength-based student advocacy supports young people in achieving their goals and gaining access to higher education.  We look forward to the results we create in partnership with Imagine College.”

Beginning with the Class of 2013, participation in Dare to Dream’s goal achievement programs is now a requirement in order for students to become eligible for an Imagine College scholarship.  Students will attend goal achievement, life preparedness and leadership workshops while learning how to set goals and create action plans to achieve them.

“Imagine College is excited about its new partnership with Dare to Dream,” says Carol Lenters, Director of Imagine College. “This partnership provides the student advocacy piece needed to help students achieve their personal goals as well as assist them in obtaining the Imagine College Scholarship of $4,000.”

About Dare to Dream Fund

Dare to Dream Fund is an educational 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Dare to Dream was created with a singular vision—that every young person recognizes the power within them to live purposeful lives committed to fulfilling their goals and dreams.  We believe that by combining community collaboration, student-centric advocacy and goal achievement programming, we have an opportunity to create an unprecedented future for our nation’s youth.  Dare to Dream’s on-site and on-line programs inspire young people to discover & commit to achieving their dreams. For more information, please visit us as www.daretodreamfund.org.

About Imagine College

Imagine College guarantees scholarship assistance to any student who graduates with a 2.5 grade point average from Seaside High School, takes courses required for college admission, attends a Scholars’ Institute on a university campus and attends Dare to Dream Fund’s goal achievement programs.  To lay the foundation for students’ academic success, Imagine College works to strengthen teaching and learning throughout the grades by providing comprehensive, continuous onsite professional development for teachers and administrators from kindergarten through high school.  Onsite academic support, training and coaching is provided to teachers by Imagine College coaches and staff.  This continuous professional development and coaching model offers teachers the assistance and resources they need to enable students to reach District, State and National benchmarked standards of learning and achievement.  In order to ensure academic success, Imagine College and MPUSD in partnership with the University of California at Santa Cruz through a GEAR UP grant (Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) are also providing family and student support services.

The Public Interest Registry posted a case study of Dare to Dream Fund in their World Voices Newsletter.  Here is the link:

http://www.pir.org/index.php?db=content/Website&tbl=ORG_Advantage&id=13

Enjoy the  case study!

Dear Friends of Dare to Dream Fund,

Thank you for supporting Dare to Dream Fund!  This month, we’re celebrating Dare to Dream’s Summer Session 2009.  So without further delay, here is your August 2009 update…

WHAT’S NEW

Dare to Dream completes its Summer Session 2009

Last month, we completed another successful session of programs. More than 145 young people, ages 8-18, graduated from our Goal Academy workshops and Publishing programs.  Our Summer Session participants were youth from the following organizations and programs in Monterey County:

• Community Partnership for Youth’s Intersession 2009

• ­Monterey Peninsula College’s Osaka Exchange Program

• ­Monterey County Office of Education’s Migrant Education Programs

• ­The Lyceum of Monterey County

• ­YMCA of the Monterey Peninsula Summer Camp 2009

Results from our Summer Session 2009 were consistent with our standards of excellence.  Our survey results this summer indicated that 96% of our participants learned the value of goal-setting and 94% of our participants learned how to create action plans to achieve their goals.  We are incredibly proud of our graduates and continue to champion their success!

Dare to Dream and the Community Foundation of Monterey County’s LEAD Program

We are proud to announce that Nina Rosete, our Executive Director, has been selected to join the 2009-2010 cohort of the Community Foundation of Monterey County’s LEAD Institute (Leadership Education and Development).  LEAD is a highly selective program and Nina’s selection was made possible thanks to a review panel of community leaders and LEAD staff who have collaborated over the past 3 years to begin the LEAD Institute for nonprofit managers in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties.  Through Nina’s participation, we are enthusiastic about this opportunity for Dare to Dream to collaborate with leading non-profit managers and the Community Foundation.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Expanding Dare to Dream’s iConnect

We are pleased to report that iConnect is continuing to grow.  Our social network is a community for youth where they are free to ask questions and get answers from peers and a group of resident experts.  This month, we launched two groups on iConnect to support our youth membership.  “How to Get Into College” is a group with step-by-step resources for young people interested in pursuing higher education.  “Scholarships” is a group with a plethora of scholarship resources available to iConnect members.  We continue to expand iConnect, increase our membership base and provide valuable resources for young people.  As a supporter of Dare to Dream, you have an open invitation to join iConnect and invite young people who would want to join an on-line community dedicated to achieving their dreams.  Please visit our website (www.daretodreamfund.org) and click on “Start Here”.

GRANTS AND AWARDS

This month, we are proud recipients of grants from the Pebble Beach Foundation, Kohl’s Corporation and the Monterey Elks Lodge.  We are grateful for their vital support and partnership.

Every month at Dare to Dream is a month of miracles and blessings!  Our growth and the impact we make in our community’s youth is due to your support and for that we are truly grateful.

In gratitude,

The Dare to Dream Fund Family