Dare to Dream Fund's Blog

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.