The DREAM Program

Mission Statement

The DREAM Program, Inc. is a mentoring organization that pairs college students with youth from affordable housing neighborhoods. Our mentoring relationships empower children to lead healthy, productive lives.

Founded in 1999 by Dartmouth College students, DREAM has grown to work with 15 colleges and 26 affordable housing neighborhoods throughout Vermont, in Boston, and in Philadelphia. We currently support over 250 mentoring pairs.

Participants in DREAM have access to a variety of experiences, including:

- Weekly one-on-one and group mentoring
- Summer activities in their communities
- Summer and winter programming through our Adventure Programming initiatives (vary by location)
- Local and regional end-of-semester adventure trips (Culminating Experiences)

Our programs are driven by empowerment, with youth and mentors collaborating to create fun and rewarding activities that spring from their imaginations. Mentors and mentees plan their activities together, and our unique program design cultivates decision-making and leadership skills among mentors and youth.