The DREAM Program, Annual Reports, Annual Report, 2004

The DREAM Program, Inc. 2004 Annual Report

Directing through Recreation, Education, Adventure, and Mentoring

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This report is dedicated to Jesse Foote for his hard work, inspiration, and dedication to DREAM. Without Jesse, Camp DREAM would only be a vision. Jesse, we cannot thank you enough for everything you have brought to DREAM.

Printed 2005 The DREAM Program, Inc. P.O. Box 361 Winooski, VT 05404 Tel: 802.655-9015 Fax: 802.654-8598 www.dreamprogram.org info@dreamprogram.org

Mission Statement & Core Values Our Mission:

DREAM builds communities of families and college students that empower children from affordable housing neighborhoods to recognize their options, make informed decisions and achieve their dreams.

Transparency:

DREAM’s business is the formation of human relationships. Clear, consistent, open, and honest communication is the foundation for creating the trust and understanding necessary for these relationships to succeed. DREAM’s community enjoys equality across roles. DREAM takes seriously the confidentiality of personal matters, but all other information, decisions, reasons, and intents should flow freely to everyone involved in the organization.

Empowerment through Ownership:

There should never be a sense that there is a higher authority in DREAM. Delegation should occur by entrusting the problems, not the solutions, and then having the humility to encourage the solutions that are then created by the ownership. It is difficult to truly relinquish control of projects for fear that they may not be solved the way initially intended, but the ensuing feeling of ownership creates a desire to continually improve the program. When individuals feel complete control of a project, they invest themselves more wholly than if they were just participating. By distributing ownership of different projects, DREAM maximizes its available resources and ensures shared enthusiasm for the program. And that is the magic, the strength, and the sustainability behind DREAM.

Contagious Energy:

DREAM lives and feeds off its contagious energy. We all bring to the program what we are excited about and motivated by. Those outside of the program can sense this energy and are drawn to DREAM because of it. It creates a fun and attractive environment where diverse interests are encouraged and new ideas are supported. DREAM’s contagious energy perpetuates the feeling that anything is possible with a can-do attitude.

Supportive Community:

Those involved in DREAM—children, parents, mentors, staff, alumni, and other supporters—are part of a single community that works to support and sustain itself. We are also respectful of the various other communities with which we interact.

We promote tolerance by celebrating differences within and outside of our community. Everyone in DREAM is an equal partner, and the importance of relationships is central to the way our community operates. If people in our community have problems they are faced with or an idea they would like to pursue, they find comfort in the fact that other members of our community rally around them, support their efforts, and encourage them to succeed.

Safety:

DREAM must pursue all of its endeavors through the bedrock of safety. DREAM must be physically and emotionally safe for all of its participants—mentors, children, and adults. Safety should never be seen as an insurmountable obstacle, but rather as a challenge to be faced in everything DREAM does. If there is something that a DREAMer can dream of doing, there is a way to do it safely, and DREAM will find that way.

Encourage Dreaming:

We encourage dreaming in each other by broadening the scope of what seems possible, supporting others in their dreams, and setting the example through pursuing our own big dreams.

Each mentor’s experience challenges us to unlock our dreams and share them with our partners, and each mentor is charged with discovering and encouraging the children's dreams. Dreaming is contagious—put a group of imaginative minds together, light the fuse, and enjoy the fireworks.

Table of Contents The DREAM Program, Inc. 2004 Annual Report Introductions Jon Potter, Executive Director

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Shelly Vincent, Parent

5-6

Lisa Christie, Board Chair

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Local Programs Local Programs Introduction

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Norwich University & Green Acres

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Champlain College & Birchwood

9-10

Dartmouth College & Hollow Drive/Northwoods

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Dartmouth College & Armory Square

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St. Michael’s College & Franklin Square

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University of Vermont & Elm Street

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Castleton State College & Forest Park

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Summer Summer Programs Introduction

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Summer Interns

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Camp DREAM

20-23

Alumni Organization News and Updates

24-25

Central Office News and Updates

26-27

Office Staff

28-30

Fundraising & Finances Donor Thanks

31-32

Financial Statements

33-46

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Dear Friends of DREAM: It is incredible to see the progress that DREAM makes every year. At the day-to-day level of operations, we always know that we are moving forward, but reflecting on each year’s accomplishments still never ceases to amaze me.

In 2004, the big news was the acquisition of the camp property. It is already hard to remember life in DREAM when the camp was not a part of our existence. In the coming years, the camp will become further and further woven into the fabric of DREAM until it will be hard to imagine DREAM without the camp at its center.

Similarly, the staff members who started with us this fall have already made an indelible impression on the organization in their own unique ways. The members of this team, Jill, Dave, Jen, and Chad, will have an enormous impact on DREAM’s story in the years to come.

Last but not least, DREAM has welcomed two new programs into its family, at Champlain College and the Birchwood Mobile Home Park, and at Castleton State College and the Forest Park Apartments. The dedicated mentors and families across all of our programs serve as wonderful examples to these new programs.

DREAM is stronger than ever, and we are proud to share our accomplishments from the past year. Please take a look through these pages to see the year in brief. Thank you to everyone who continues to help make our work possible.

Dream, Jon Potter Executive Director

I never would have imagined the effect that DREAM would have on my children. I enrolled my four kids in the fall of 2002. They were always bored and said there was nothing to do on Elm Street. I met the mentors, who were wonderful. They became part of our family, and we formed a bond that could not be broken. They even came to dinner at our apartment, as a home cooked meal is a treat to them. Having been involved in DREAM for the past three years, I still have to this day mentors that go above and beyond our expectations. Some have graduated and moved on, but still keep in close contact with us, by mailing birthday and Christmas presents to my children. This is a bond that can’t be broken, but will always go on in DREAM. It’s called communication, between parents and mentors, which is something that is very important in this program.

Before DREAM started here, my kids were always bored, even me. Now, every Friday, they have something to look forward to. Now my kids want to be mentors themselves. I became involved in fundraising programs as a parent, and I’m so glad I did. I will continue to support DREAM forever.

It makes you feel good to know your kids are not on the street dealing drugs and getting into trouble. Sometimes when DREAM is not running on a Friday, my kids can just go over to the office and visit with the DREAM staff, and sometimes, they just drop what they’re doing and go out and shoot hoops or play softball with the kids. DREAM goes above and beyond their expectations. I can’t say enough about how important this wonderful program is to Katrina, Kayla, Corey, and Kristen. Last year, the mentors even made a parent night, and we got together with the mentors, with no kids. It was very rewarding to know they care so much about our children. Being a busy mom, I don’t always have one on one time with the kids, and the mentors were there for them for homework, and even went as far as to go to the girls’ basketball games at school. (continued)

If you are interested in the work of the board, or have any questions about DREAM...

6 I would recommend The DREAM Program to any child. It gives them positive experience, a chance to see different places, and to always have someone there for them whenever they need. I also want to give a big THANK YOU to Ed Willenbaker from the Winooski Housing Authority, for getting this wonderful program here. It has sure made a big difference in every aspect of life.

Sincerely, Shelly Vincent, Mother of the Premos and the Vincents

When the DREAM staff asked me to compose a message for the annual report, I had no idea how to begin. How does one succinctly summarize an organization that touches the lives of so many in so many important ways?

How do you effectively talk about how much such a young organization has accomplished?

So, I decided since so many other pages in this report will speak to DREAM’s accomplishments, I would use this opportunity to thank all of you who make DREAM possible. Thank you all! More specifically, I’d like to thank: All of those who donate their time to DREAM: DREAM would not exist without the energy, ideas and talents of hundreds of mentors - all of whom are taking time out of their busy lives as college students to be with DREAM families each and every week. THANK YOU! DREAM would not exist without the talents of DREAM Board members – all of whom donate their “free” time and incredible expertise to ensure DREAM represents the interests of DREAMers and is the best organization possible. THANK YOU! DREAM would not exist without the help of many other volunteers who work on our behalf - be it offering advice to DREAM staff, opening their businesses or classrooms to DREAM field trips, working with DREAMers.

THANK YOU! The DREAM staff, who create programs and work so hard on behalf of DREAMers: I know the staff works longer hours and gives far more than we could ever truly compensate them for. I also know the impact of your work does not make its way back into the DREAM offices as often as it should, and that the true impact of your work will be felt for many years to come.

Incredible describes so many associated with DREAM, but possibly most aptly the staff. THANK YOU! Those who provide monetary donations to DREAM: Without monetary donations, the DREAM organization would not exist and nothing could be accomplished. THANK YOU! Now, on behalf of the Board of Directors of DREAM, I would like to welcome you to the 2004 annual report. In the following pages you will find DREAM to be an inspirational organization: one that continually improves its philosophies, and programs; one that has positively changed the lives of hundreds of students, children, and other community members; and one, most importantly, that continues to DREAM. I, for one, am privileged to be associated with this organization, and look forward to seeing what DREAM accomplishes in the years to come.

Dream, Lisa Christie Chair, Board of Directors

...please don’t hesitate to contact the Board of Directors at board@dreamprogram.org

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Local Programs

DREAM’s local programs have had a very successful year! While Dartmouth’s Hollow Drive program has worked to rebuild, new programs at Castleton State College in Rutland and Champlain College in Burlington started up with a bang! In the next few pages you’ll discover, from the mentor’s perspective, what makes these programs tick. From trips to New York City with Dartmouth/Armory Square to theatre with Champlain/Birchwood to ski trips with Norwich, this has been an exciting year for all of the programs, and we look forward to seeing each of them thrive and grow in 2005!

Our local programs are thriving...

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Local Programs: Norwich & Green Acres Norwich DREAM We are a random mix of cadets and civilians who have come together with one purpose: to better the lives of the children with whom we come in contact.

When we began, our question was, “What can we teach these kids about life?”

Now, as we reflect on our e x p er i e n c es with these amazing kids, the question has become, “What have these kids taught us?”

Anything can be done in the rain. This includes everything from baseball to flying paper airplanes. “It’s just water. What’s the worst that can happen? We get wet?”

Good point.

A child does not

A typical Norwich Friday

by Cassandra Washburn, Norwich necessarily give a hug because they need one, but because you just might.

In order to fully appreciate music, you have to get into the rhythm and really feel the beat. It helps if you holler when it feels right.

Ask why until you understand. And hold on tight.

Dream of the richest fantasies in life. Maybe someday they will come true, and maybe someday they will still just be dreams. But they are always yours to have and hold.

If the horse that you’re drawing looks more like a dog, make it a dog.

When you play, get lost. Every Friday, it is

our turn to be ten years old or five or three. No matter how old you are, there is still a little child inside, waiting to explore the world, to be silly, to be held close, and to be loved.

These are just a few of the things that I have learned during my time in DREAM. I will be leaving after this semester and I am proud to say that being a part of DREAM has been one of the greatest adventures of my life.

Thank you to all the kids and mentors whom I have gotten to know. DREAM is a l i f e - a l t e r i n g experience that cannot be found anywhere else.

Program Facts Location: Barre, VT & Norwich University, Northfield, VT Started: November 2003 Current # of Kids: 11 Current # of Mentors: 11 Year’s Co-Chairs: Spring: Gary Ginsburg Spring: Kristin Lavallie

Special thanks to the Barre Housing Authority and Chittenden Bank for funding the Norwich and Green Acres program!

Fall: Gary Ginsburg Fall: Kristin Lavallie Summer Intern: Kristin Lavallie

...This year brought new programs at both Champlain College…

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Local Programs: Champlain & Birchwood Program Facts

Champlain would like to especially thank Mobius and Jan & Mary Jane Rozendaal for funding their program!

Location: Milton, VT & Champlain College, Burlington, VT Started: September 2004 Current # of Kids: 10 Current # of Mentors: 10 Year’s Co-Chairs: Fall: Katie Weisman

The first Champlain mentors!

Fall: Chris Ellingwood

By Jillian York, Central Office Katie Wiseman, a mentor (and chair!) in the new Champlain/Birchwood program, and Sam, her partner, have only been together for a semester, but it’s obvious that they’re close. I was fortunate to witness just how close recently, when the Champlain mentors rallied

(and invited me along) to see a play that Katie was performing in. I wasn’t the only nonmentor invited, however...they had decided to surprise Katie by bringing along Sam! Katie was fantastic in her performance; and when her character uttered a small profanity, one of the other mentors turned to Sam and

said “Hey, you should tell your mentor to wash her mouth out with soap!”

Sam just responded, “It’s okay, Katie doesn’t talk like that in real life!”

Katie was obviously very surprised when she came out afterward to see her partner waiting for her with a beautiful bouquet of flowers...she burst into tears! It was a really

cool thing to witness, and embodies what DREAM is all about...this is obviously a partnership that’s going to last a long time!

...and Castleton State College!

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Local Programs: Champlain & Birchwood Small School, BIG Dreams

by Erin Caswell and Josh Warren, Champlain Way back, six months ago, the students of Champlain College were visited by Mike Foote and Chad Butt, office members of the DREAM program. Mike and Chad met with a slew of super enthusiastic college students on the Champlain College campus to introduce them to what would soon be some of these studen ts biggest infatuation in life. Upon the conclusion of the meeting Mike asked if there were any questions, Jeremy Ellis, a soon to be mentor, raised his hand and asked, “How soon can we start?”

This question soon proved to dictate the overall passion for DREAM that this new group possessed.

The program at Champlain was paired up with Birchwood Manor in Milton Vermont.

These lucky Champlainers made their way up to Birchwood determined to start a connection with the community that would blossom and develop in only a short amount of time.

The response received from the residents of Birchwood was overwhelming. From a large list of potential mentees, the first ten DREAMers were selected, each bringing a unique attribute to the program.

Friendships quickly formed

and DREAM at Champlain was soon on its feet. Over the first semester we had Friday programs that included attending UVM’s DREAM chili cook-off fundraiser, Halloween pumpkin carving and “college kid” dress-up day, a wacky scavenger hunt in down town Burlington on church street, a community holiday craft party, and of course, the always significant one-on-one time.

Naturally, DREAM could not be all fun and games. Because had high aspirations to take our wonderful new friends to an exciting destination, just south of the border we realized that fundraising was inevitable.

However, before long we found that fundraising could indeed be fun. Through an awe-inspiring show of support on the Champlain campus we sold fabulous DREAM apparel across campus to everyone and anyone who was touched by our cause.

We set up shop in the student lounge, and at campus club gatherings. Along with a few other fundraising projects, we soon had enough money to take our mentees on a fantastic trip to explore and discover.

We chose the great city of Boston as the destination of our culminating experience. We loaded up the bus with children at six A.M., and headed south to Boston. With bear claws in our bellies, smiles on our faces, and full of anticipation as to what our journey had in store, we

arrived in Boston four hours later. We visited the Boston Children’s Museum, Quincy Market, and later explored the Boston Science Museum. While at the Science Museum, Champlain DREAM viewed an Imax Omni film, and it is safe to say that the only thing wider than the screen was our mentees eyes. Drop jawed and wide eyed we reluctantly ended our trip and returned to Vermont.

Since DREAM came to Champlain, it like its mentors has developed and matured by leaps and bounds. We have recently taken on seven new mentors, which means that the Champlain DREAM Program is growing from ten mentees to seventeen. The impact being made in the lives of the children of Birchwood is unfathomable, and the impact that the children of Birchwood are making in the lives of the Champlain College mentors is equally great. With a new semester comes new hopes, new experiences, and new DREAMs. It is hard to believe how far we have come in such a short amount of time, but it is even harder to believe that we have only been DREAMing for a mere six months. We can confidently say that you will all see great things from this small group and that despite our size we are determined to be the biggest and best DREAM we can be.

The rest of our programs are thriving...

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Local Programs: Dartmouth & Northwoods/Hollow Dr. Templeton 4-Eva

by Dave Anderson, Central Office Dartmouth’s Hollow Drive/ Northwoods DREAM program has undergone a huge array of changes over the last year.

Two years ago, the program consisted of about 45 Dartmouth mentors who worked mainly with the Templeton housing project and surrounding areas in Whiter River Junction. With the demolition of Templeton and the scattering of the families of this community across the Upper Valley over the last year, this group of Dartmouth mentors suddenly found itself without a focus on any central housing community. Though some of the families were able to move together into the nearby housing community on Hollow Drive, a number of families moved out-of-state or far enough away that their Dartmouth mentors could no longer provide a consistent level of support.

However, as the Dartmouth mentors have proved, DREAM isn’t defined by a mere set of buildings.

For five years, Templeton had been the center of Dartmouth DREAM. It was the housing community where DREAM began; it was the inspiration for the proliferation of DREAM across the state of Vermont, and it was a community in which countless Dartmouth students and DREAM families felt that they had enriched each others’

lives together.

Given that kind of precedent, the prospect of building a new DREAM community seemed particularly intimidating.

With the construction of the Northwoods community on the same property that once housed Templeton, Dartmouth mentors found themselves with an new set of families, a new community, a new group of fabulous kids, and a new beginning. The new families of Northwoods were slowly introduced to the DREAM program as they moved in over the last seven months; younger Dartmouth mentors were recruited in order to ensure sustainable, long-term relationships with the newer Northwoods residents, and, just this past fall, the first official Northwoods-DREAM partnerships were formed! At present, the program has rebounded with 25 partnerships across two housing communities, 15 new mentor recruits, and the prospect of a number of families being added to the program as Northwoods continues to grow.

On a more personal note, I think I would be somewhat remiss if I did not mention the emotional effect of the “rebuilding” process of the last year.

For those of us who lived and breathed Templeton during our years at Dartmouth, the announcement that Templeton would be demolished and that the families would be relocated

was accompanied by feelings of heart-break and incredulity (or perhaps “total heart demolition”).

For both the mentors and the families, we felt that a hugely meaningful part of our lives was being wrenched away from us. We knew that DREAM would go on, and we knew that new mentoring partnerships would be formed in the community that would be built on the ruins of Templeton. But we also knew that no one in DREAM had ever envisioned the prospect of being forced to survive such a transition.

Today, I am more optimistic than ever for the future prospects of Dartmouth DREAM, having personally witnessed the relationships that the newest amazing mentors and families of Hollow Drive, Northwoods, and Armory Square are building together.

Nevertheless, as Templeton was leveled, the children of the community were able to express what we all felt at that moment. They “tattooed” the words, “Templeton 4-eva,” on their stomachs. It is the power of the memory of that community that I want to ensure for posterity. Fittingly, there is also still a subtle reminder of Northwoods’ past.

Though the name of the housing community has changed, its street address is still “Templeton Drive.”

Templeton 4-eva.

St.Michael’s College and UVM experienced a heavy increase in size…

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Local Programs: Dartmouth & Northwoods/Hollow Dr. Dartmouth: Enthusiastic as Ever!

by Dylan Gee, Mirelle Phillips, and Chelsea Minkler

Special thanks to the Byrne Foundation for supporting Dartmouth’s Northwoods/ Hollow Drive program!

At Dartmou th, w e recent ly recruited some brand new DREAM mentors. We held the info sessions at the beginning of October drawing 80 bright-eyed and bushy tailed new freshmen and sophomore recruits.

After an emotionally exhausting (on both parts) application and interview process, we selected 32 enthusiastic, committed, and downright attractive new mentors (no, we didn’t base their acceptance on aesthetic appeal, it was just a coincidence).

Continuing a DREAM tradition at Dartmouth, one night in November, a bunch of current mentors ran arounddressed in outrageous clothes- to each and every room of the new mentors to welcome them into DREAM with the celebratory song “Purple Stew” (a traditional song sung at the end of Friday DREAM).

Following more performances of Purple Stew in a number of Dartmouth late-night study spots, the new mentors engaged in the first annual “DREAM Olympics.”

Events included Chubby Fluffy Bunny, Apple Golf, All-terrain Twister, and several food related challenges involving ice cream, pudding, and gummy worms.

November 12th, we reignited the flame that is the Dartmouth Chili

Program Facts

Cook-off. With over 25 entries and some highly sought after “interpretive veggie chili,” closely (in fact exactly) resembling pancakes from the Central Office, the competition was tight. The winning chili- entered by the runners-up of the last cook-off- donning cowboy hats and carrying hot sauce at the hip, blew away the competition.

These enthusiastic winners, redeemed from their previous loss, video-taped the event and gave an emotional acceptance speech. With a tremendous turnout, we were thrilled to make over $1200!

Most recently, we at Northwoods/ Hollow Drive DREAM went bowling for our fall culminating experience.

A good time was had by all, though some had better games than others.

Dylan, age 5, bowled 102 (with bumpers). Another Dylan, age 19, also bowled a competitive game of 54 (with bumpers and the help of Zoe, age 2).

In other recordshattering achievements, Vanessa Parker, age 13, managed to pull not one, but two full-sized stuffed animals out of the infamous claw machine.

This exciting group activity ended the fall on a high note, leaving us here at Dartmouth DREAM looking forward to an amazing winter with our new mentors!

Year’s Co-Chairs:

Winter: Edy Wilson

Older...

Spring: Christina Wolf

Location: White River Junction, VT &

Winter: David Anderson

Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

Winter: Kacie Meager

Started: January 1999

Spring: David Anderson

Summer: Edy Willson

Current # of Kids: 25

Spring: Kacie Meager

Summer: Forrest Hanson

Current # of Mentors: 27

Younger: Winter: Carly O’Connell

Spring: Edy Wilson

Fall: Christina Wolf Fall: Forrest Hanson

...While Dartmouth has successfully rebuilt its original Templeton program...

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Local Programs: Dartmouth & Armory Square Armory Square Goes to NYC

By Liana Heldman & Lindsay Earls, Dartmouth On the weekend of May 22, Armory Square DREAM embarked on the journey of a lifetime: we ventured to The Big Apple. After a seemingly endless bus ride, we passed through the Lincoln Tunnel and found the city waiting for us.

Our first stop was the Staten Island ferry, which took us on a brief cruise past Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. We then explored the Museum of Natural history, checking out exhibits about Asian mammals, African heritage, and the space program. We ended our visit with a lecture from a resident expert on evolution and Darwinism, and then stopped to watch an Imax film about an elusive animal that hides in underwater volcanoes.

Finally, we visited Shea Stadium, where we picked up some free bobbleheads and watched as the Mets beat the Colorado Rockies 5-4.

Program Facts Location: Windsor, VT & Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH Started: June 2001 Current # of Kids: 17 Current # of Mentors: 14 Year’s Co-Chairs: Winter: Jackie Hickman Winter: Christina Jimenez Spring: Liana Heldman Spring: Lindsay Earls Summer: Christina Jimenez Summer: Ethan Rothstein Fall: Alex Kallis

Thanks to the Agency of Human Services for funding the Dartmouth & Armory Square program!

Fall: Jackie Hickman Summer Intern: Aisha Siebert

A Very Armory Thanksgiving

by Chad Butt, Central Office The month of November was a very successful month for the Armory Square DREAM Program.

Though the month was cut short by Thanksgiving and finals the program had three Friday DREAMs. On the 5th, 12th, and 19th the mentors brought the children back to Dartmouth for group and oneon-one activities.

The month was capped of with an amazing culminating The experience on the 20th. kids spent the afternoon that Saturday with their partners making a dish for the Thanksgiving dinner they had in the early evening.

It was a great to here the kids and mentors go around before the

meal and say what they were thankful for. The majority of the reasons everyone gave were DREAM related, either for their partner of for having DREAM in their life. After the meal the group went to a local roller skating rink and had a blast!

The mentors also had the very successful and always looked forward to annual DREAM Chili Cook-Off on the 13th. It has become an anticipated fall event at Dartmouth. Over twenty-five pots of chili were entered and people flocked to taste them all.

When all was said and done the winners went away with new found pride in their chili cooking abilities and the runners up went back to cook books to prep for next year.

The month of November was

a month of growth for the program bringing on 15 or so freshmen mentors that will be trained over the winter and spring and will be taking over for the graduating seniors next year. The program is pumped up and things are ready to go when the mentors get back on campus in January.

Roshni Banker and two DREAMers celebrate an early DREAM Thanksgiving

...with new communities Northwoods and Hollow Drive!

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Local Programs: St. Michael’s & Franklin Program Facts Location: Burlington, VT & St. Michael’s College, Colchester, VT Started: February 2003 Current # of Kids: 38 Current # of Mentors: 35 Year’s Co-Chairs: Spring: Brian Wellens Spring: Andrea Smolen Fall: Brian Wellens Fall: Andrea Smolen Summer Intern: Leah DeGregorio

Special thanks to the Burlington Housing Authority for funding SMC’s program!

A Very SMC Thanksgiving

by Jill York, Central Office I had always thought that Thanksgiving was the third Thursday of November, however, the best Thanksgiving I’ve attended in years was on a Friday...and held by the St. Mike’s/Franklin Square program! I was lucky to attend that particular Friday DREAM. When I arrived, the mentors were still toiling over giant pots of potatoes and veggies, and the turkey had not yet arrived. They were working out of a kitchen the size of a cubicle and didn’t have all of the proper cooking accoutrements.

As soon as the cars filled with kids pulled up, however, everything came together.

There were beautiful pies with “DREAM” and dough-cutout pictures of kids gracing the tops. There were two huge turkeys, and almost twenty cans of cranberry sauce.

I watched from the serving table as each child and mentor said what they were thankful for this year...the answers ranged from the silly to the touching, and everywhere in between. But all in all, everyone seemed thankful for this early Thanksgiving which allowed them to come together, share their thoughts, and most of all, eat turkey!

Great Partners Anne Fletcher (St. Michael’s) and Bethany have known each other for two years. They’re such a close pair that Anne’s mother made them matching “DREAM” bracelets with their initials and “BFF” (“Best Friends Forever”).

They also wear matching bright yellow bracelets that Bethany procured, and today they’ve traded jackets. We go to the dining hall to talk; when Anne suggests this as a location, Bethany’s ecstatic...The all-you-can-eat style of a college dining facility is still exciting to, well, anyone who hasn’t experienced it every day for four years.

Bethany and Anne agree on their best times together: a trip to Lake George last year with the rest of the program, and an afternoon where just the two of them had lunch together at Leonardo’s Pizza. It seems to me that most of their time together must be great; today they make ice cream sundaes for each other in the dining hall. I watch as Anne sneaks a cookie into the bottom of Bethany’s and Bethany substitutes a cherry tomato for a cherry on top of Anne’s. They present the desserts to each other, and both laugh at the hidden treasures.

Finally, we have a “photo shoot,” and for a moment, you can’t tell that there are nine years separating these two girls.

This year will also see off the first graduating class of St. Michael’s College mentors...

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Local Programs: UVM & Elm St. Great Partners Scott Hess (UVM) and James have been partners since only September, but they’re already great friends.

James is a very smart and very energetic kid. He often stops by the office in the afternoons, and more often than not, work stops for a few minutes while he entertains.

When Scott and James came by for their interview, however, James was quieter than I’d ever seen him. He almost looked like he was blushing! It wasn’t until Scott said something funny that James smiled and I noticed...he had lost one of his two front teeth!

Now that I’d seen it, he let me go on with the interview.

I asked the pair what the most fun thing they’ve done together has been.

The two went hiking together at Red Rocks Park in South Burlington. James tells me that his favorite part was shouting off the cliffs and throwing rocks. “At the water,” Scott chimes in, laughing.

We go outside to take pictures, and the two both scramble towards a tree that shades the parking lot. Scott hoists James up and both of them, grinning, mug for the camera. The perfect pair.

Program Facts Special thanks to the Winooski Housing Authority for funding UVM’s DREAM program!

Location: Winooski, VT & UVM, Burlington, VT Started: February 2002 Current # of Kids: 38 Current # of Mentors: 38 Year’s Co-Chairs: Spring: Becca Karlen Spring: Chris Brown Fall: Kate Haggerty Fall: Becca Karlen Summer Intern: Kerrie Johnson

...further building our strong alumni network!

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Local Programs: Castleton & Forest Park The Beginning of a Program

By George Schofield, UVM After my graduation from the University of Vermont this past May, I was looking ahead to traveling and enjoying new freedoms. Soon after however a summer internship possibility through DREAM became a more enduring option. The idea of starting up a new DREAM program as a summer intern was exciting especially since I would be working with friends and embracing new challenges. Though I knew it would be difficult I did not hesitate to take it on.

Immediately I was welcomed by the Forest Park Community in Rutland. The parents were outgoing and appreciative while the kids were enthusiastic and fun. From the weekly field trips, Camp DREAM excursions, to the overnight camping trip on the beaches of Maine, I will have many lasting memories from this summer. Overall this past summer was productive and positive for all those who helped and contributed in the program.

In the near future I look forward to seeing DREAM’s continued presences at Forest Park with the support of Castleton State College students.

The daunting task of implementing and running a successful program is now in their great hands and I wish them all the best. Finally I just want to say thank you to the families at Forest Park for a fun-filled and promising summer and look forward to see everyone again sometime soon.

Special thanks to The James T. Bowse Community Health Trust, the Henderson Foundation, and the Vermont Community Foundation for funding the Castleton and Forest Park program!

Spotting Yellow Shirts at Castleton

by Jen Lazar, Central Office Yellow DREAM t-shirts have been spotted around Rutland this year, on the Castleton campus and even on the Killington slopes!

This fall DREAM started up its seventh program at Castleton State College.

Linking up students at Castleton with children from the Forest Park community in Rutland, this newest DREAM program has been making strides in introducing a new crew of DREAMers to the philosophy of “DREAMing big.”

This fall saw the introduction of the kids to the college campus (via an intensive photo scavenger hunt, pictures of

which can be seen on the DREAM website!), meetings between mentors and DREAM families, and an end of the semester snow boarding trip to Killington Mountain.

"Bringing the children to campus showed them what is out there – and the college campus is just the beginning!" says April Cole, one of the founding members of Castleton DREAM. April and a few other Castleton students attended DREAMstock this past October and have been hooked on DREAM ever since. "It’s a lot of fun and a good way to help out the local community," says Tom Adams, another founding member.

All of the mentors have

brought a tremendous amount of energy to the new program, energy which has been matched wholeheartedly by the families of Forest Park. DREAM parents have really stepped up to support the program and the mentors – brainstorming and planning exciting events for the future.

This upcoming year Castleton DREAM is looking to expand their program – recruiting more kids and mentors, and tackling some new ideas for trips, fundraisers, and Friday programming. With this group exciting plans are definitely in the works for 2005!

Congratulations, local programs, on a successful 2004!

17

Summertime

Since 2003, DREAM has offered more than just the school-year mentoring program. Two years ago, we started our first summer programming, with interns stationed at most of the DREAM program sites. This program, along with High Adventure, was so successful that we chose to continue it. We decided to build upon our existing summer programming and in May 2004, purchased 50 acres of land in Fletcher, Vermont to start a summer camp with the following mission: To offer subsidized, quality camping experiences to children from disadvantaged circumstances in Vermont, and to build amongst them a sense of caring for community, environment, and self.

During this first summer, the camp hosted four different groups of DREAMers, with a grand total of about 40 kids. Each group was unique, and brought DREAM children from around the state together for an exciting camp experience complete with swimming, rocket launching, and all sorts of challenges, team building activities, and fun! With the help of two AmeriCorps*NCCC crews and various volunteers, we also began a network of trails and bridges around the property, and we completed the building of an amphitheatre.

As the leaves started to turn, DREAM played host to a number of AmeriCorps*VISTAs and friends who chose to help further development of the trail system and campsites. We also hosted the first annual DREAMstock, a retreat for mentors from each local DREAM program. During DREAMstock, mentors gathered at camp to network, share ideas, roast marshmallows and enjoy the outdoors together, and we are optimistic that the energy and momentum that emerge from this retreat will be a great help to the programs throughout the year.

Starting in December, the camp staff began to prepare for our most ambitious endeavor yet: Winter Adventure Camp! With a plan to host about 20 DREAMers from each program over the course of seven weekends in January and February, Camp DREAM will be filled with excitement come rain or come shine!

To learn more about Camp DREAM...

18

Summertime: Summer Interns Summer Halloween at Franklin Square

By Leah DeGregorio, St. Michael’s This summer was the most incredible summer I could have asked for. The summer was jam packed with games and trips galore. One of the most memorable days that we had was during Holiday week, which was in July. This day was Halloween, with the help of the crew from Parks & Recreation and from a member of the DREAM office, Paul Biggs; I was able to pull off very successful events.

The first event of the day was the donut eating contest. Paul and I tied forty donuts to strings and then hung the strings off the tree limbs outside of the Rec-Hall. Meanwhile the children were inside eating a balanced lunch. After they were finished with lunch they came out into the field and began the Halloween festivities. We spun the kids around twenty times, so that they could barely hold down their lunches or stand, and then made them try to eat the donuts without using their hands. For some added fun I walked around and would tap the donuts to make it just slightly more difficult for them. After the donuts were devoured, we moved onto apple bobbing. The kids were once again not allowed to use their hands and were kneeling down in front of a pan filled with apples and water.

Once they had successfully pulled an apple out with

their teeth they were given a plastic knife that they could carve their apples with..

Instead of trick or treating Paul and I hid water balloons all over Franklin Square. Hiding the water balloons was the best way to prolong a water balloon fight. Usually, I would go early and fill approximately 400 balloons, only hiding 300. The other 100 the staff kept hidden inside the Rec-Hall so that we could have fun with the kids too.

Our water balloon hunt lasted about a half an hour and then we would have the kids pick up 20 pieces of trash. Once they brought us the trash they were given another water balloon..

Once Parks & Recreation had left for the day Paul and I took 8 children to the beach. We walked down the street to Northgate beach which is right off of the bike path. We were there for no more than a half an hour and fifteen more children showed up on their bikes because they had gotten permission from their parents to go the beach if I was going to be there supervising. So after a crazy day at the beach we were struck with a lightening storm, which always led to an adventure on the way home. Once we trekked through the mosquito infested woods and arrived back at Franklin Square all the kids met back at the Rec-Hall and I administered freeze-pops.

...Check out www.dreamprogram.org/projects/camp.htm‌

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Summertime: Summer Interns

A Great Armory Square Summer!

By Aisha Siebert, Dartmouth My name is Aisha Siebert and I‘ve been the summer intern for Armory Square this year.

Despite difficulty finding spaces for programming, the Windsor community extended itself to provide a great experience for the kids on the block.

The community room has been closed for public use, and this summer we had no further success in getting it reopened.

Even without the endorsement of the main office, the Armory staff and maintenance crew was incredibly forthcoming with their assurance and program assistance.

They helped spread the word about activities and encouraged new children to join DREAM. Due to their demonstration of support, parents in the community began to show an interest and

even volunteered as chaperones on several field trips.

Over the course of the summer I was fortunate enough to meet members of the community surrounding Armory Square who were eager to help out. Harry Ladue, director of the Windsor Parks and Recreation department, provided our program with a scholarship to use both their main facilities on Union Street, as well as the sports fields, and Kennedy Pond.

Fire Chief Lewis Gage and the local fire department allowed us to explore the firehouse and helped one of the kids overcome his fear of ambulances, related to associations with previous bad experiences at Armory Square.

In addition, the local librarians, lifeguards, and teachers at the

State Street Elementary school all provided program support.

As the summer term at Dartmouth was underway, the Friday afternoon mentoring program continued.

Student directors Christina Jimenez and Ethan Rothstein did an awesome job getting the kids out, even with many of the mentors away for the summer.

We were able to coordinate several events including bowling at Upper Valley Lanes and Games, and an end of the summer barbecue at Ledyard Canoe Club. I would just like to take this opportunity to thank them, Katie Winterbottom, and everyone else involved in the Armory Square DREAM program for providing the kids with such great adventures this summer.

...where you can chart the success of our summer and winter adventure camps!

20

Summertime: Camp DREAM

by Jesse Foote, Central Office What was the most exciting thing that happened in the year 2004?

You might get misguided answers from other articles in this report; I mean, sure it was pretty neat that 2 new programs started, and 5 new staff were hired, and Mike Foote grew a beard… but really, if you want the bona fide exciting’est DREAM happening, in my humble opinion, then you’ve come to the right article.

Camp DREAM has begun!

That’s right folks, in the summer of 2004, the first DREAM campers arrived at Camp DREAM. Our first swim tests, our first campfire skits!! We started small – with four sessions of campers for three nights apiece. We went on hikes, learned how to use compasses, went swimming and canoeing, built and launched model rockets, rode mountain bikes, played ‘commando’, made insect nets, caught frogs, cooked meals, roasted marshmallows, and helped build the camp. Campers came from all of DREAM’s local programs; many new friendships were made and children left with promises to write letters and expectations of seeing each other at camp next summer. It was a fabulous and memorable time - check out all our pictures on the DREAM website!

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Before there could be summer camp, there had to be a camp! Coming into 2004, DREAM had a contract to buy a beautiful 50-acre property in Fletcher, VT. We researched and tested the land, and the more we learned, the better it

looked. Then, in May, I got a call from Paul Hannan, our contact with the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB). With the help of the Vermont Land Trust, DREAM had applied for a conservation grant that could cover the entire purchase price of our property.

My brother had answered the call, and casually handed me the phone. I didn’t breathe while I listened to what Paul had to say: “Jesse, I’m sorry to have to inform you that…” My heart sunk, oh no, Paul continued: “…that you’re going to have to deal with a $100,000 grant from the VHCB!” Soon after that we closed on the property, and the rest in history… well, almost.

Who was going to run this camp?

The answer came from, of all unlikely places, New York City, where Ali Savitt and Laura Goldblatt decided to quit their jobs to become Camp DREAM’s first Camp Nurse and Program Director.

Ali’s job was somewhat less medically intense then the emergency room she left behind, but she did have her fair share of homesickness and when a more serious accident popped up (in the form of an eight year-old boy falling out of a tree) Ali acted quickly and decisively, keeping the situation under control and building confidence that our camp is able to handle emergencies.

As for Laura, she brought all of her abundant energy to bear in planning and running a fantastic program. She also coordinated all of the many volunteers who converged on camp to help run our inaugural summer.

So, how was the weather?

Well, our camper sessions did an amazingly good job at dodging most of the rain that made the summer of ’04 one of the wettest on record. Our two AmeriCorps*NCCC crews, on the other hand, got drenched. N triple what, you ask?

The National Civilian Community Corps sent two groups of eight strong backs to live and breathe Camp DREAM with us. They put in a total of 10,590 work hours blazing trails, building bridges, clearing campsites, carving a totem pole, and even holding a car wash fundraiser for us.

And they did it all in some of the worst rain gear I have ever seen.

Lest you think that 2004 was a year made up solely of successes, I should let you know that there was one notable setback.

Fletcher’s Development Review Board denied our first application for a zoning permit by a vote of 3 to 2. Their primary concern was that our proposed level of use on the waterfront would disrupt the character of the neighborhood we are in. As of the publication of this report, we have submitted a second application which addresses the Board’s concern. A public hearing is scheduled for March 15, and we are optimistic that our zoning permit will be approved.

But enough of the lackluster, now on to more blockbuster! And what could be more blockbuster then the man who is taking my place, the author of the next article, the inspiration of many great things soon to come: Ladies and Gentlemen, David Anderson!

Hoooray for DREAM’s first campers ever: Amber, Becky, Jayla, Bethany, Kaitlyn, Cameron...

21

Summertime: Camp DREAM

by David Anderson, Central Office Since the beginning of the fall (and since our increase from one Camp Director to three), the year-round staff of Camp DREAM have been focused mainly on three objectives: holding a huge mentor retreat (aptly named DREAMstock) in the fall, planning and running a Winter Adventure Camp from December ’04 through February ’05, and making continued preparations to ensure that this summer’s sessions are dedicated to building a network of DREAM mentors and kids who truly feel that Camp DREAM is their summer home away from home.

In October of 2004, Camp DREAM hosted over 70 mentors for a weekend retreat of bonding, campfire games, skits, and stories, teamwork activities, and networking meetings. All seven of DREAM’s local program were represented at DREAMstock, and each program had its own campsite, complete with tents, gear tarps, fire pit, and a DREAM office staff greeter.

DREAMstock was considered a resounding success by all who attended, and the enthusiasm it generated among the local programs has been so evident that we are already making preparations for an even more awesome all-mentor retreat next fall!

Almost immediately following

DREAMstock, we began planning for an even more ambitious undertaking: Winter Adventure Camp. During November and December, we were able to secure huge in-kind donations for our Winter Adventure Camp, which is set to take place during January and February of 2005.

These donations included a 15’ x 21’ canvas tent which could be heated by a donated woodstove, broomball, cross-country skiing, and sledding equipment, and a huge array of winter clothing, boots, gloves, and hats.

Without such support, we would never have been able to provide the kind of quality camping experience, and we are immensely indebted to these organizations and individuals.

The Hardworking NCCC

By Eve Burnett, NCCC For the past six weeks our AmeriCorps*NCCC team of nine has had the amazing opportunity to spend days and nights working at Camp DREAM! Everyone had fun. We look forward to coming back years down the road and seeing all the progress made by the

members of DREAM. Thanks to all the DREAM staff and kids for sharing with us the passion it takes to really get a program like this started.

We will keep the memories of our DREAM summer in our hearts and minds (not to mention in our pictures!)

We love DREAM!

...Steven, Nat, Michael, Michael, Krishtin, Brent, Stanley, Stanislav, Aaron, Jimmy...

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Summertime: Camp DREAM Camp Poetry

by Eve Burnett, NCCC Everytime I slap a mosquito I'll remember being here, Camping in the beautiful outdoors.

And everytime I work in the rain I'll remember being here, Walking the muddy trails and singing silly songs.

Everytime I turn on a light switch I'll remember being here, Starting campfires and stumbling in the woods with no flash light. ...The beauty in being here lies in the faces of the children who will enjoy this camp in the many years to come. I'll be forever thankful for having this be a part of my life. This camp may not fully be a reality yet, but this DREAM will come true.

Camp Thanks!

The camp staff would like to thank the following people and organizations for making our first camp year amazing: The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board for providing funding for the purchase of our camp land The Salmon Foundation and The Vermont Children’s Trust for funding our first camp summer programming Ali Savitt and Laura Goldblatt, for being the best camp nurse and program director that Camp DREAM has ever had!

Doug Viehmann and Ann Vivian for all the amazing design work they have done for our camp Craig Heindel for the time he donated to help design a septic system for the camp AmeriCorps*NCCC for sending two hard-working, fun-loving crews to Camp DREAM Casey Family Services for finding a $3,000 grant to purchase winter camp equipment The Vermont Land Trust for their help with our grant application the VHCB John Morton for his help in designing Camp DREAM’s trail system Courtney Salls and Chris Hicks for being Camp DREAM’s first CITs! Chris Starkey for drafting designs for tree-house cabins at camp.

...Anthony, Nela, Hope, Suzie, Savanna, Shelby, Porsche, Roza, Allison, Alyssa, Alyssa...

23

Summertime: Camp DREAM Thanks Michael Socks and Efficiency Vermont for reviewing our dining hall designs Sandie and Terry York for donating a wood stove and toboggan to camp Barb Guttman for donating life jackets and an inflatable tube for the camp waterfront Anthony Sykes for donating a rowboat for our camp waterfront Alice Foote for the donation of this year’s camp t-shirts Erica Spiegel and UVM for donating kitchen supplies to camp Julie Clemons and Dartmouth College for donating 30 foam mattresses to camp Recycle North for providing us with a 50% discount at their building supply store Vermont Business Materials Exchange, Burlington FreeCycle and The United Way Donation Program for assisting us with equipment requests Mike and Marjorie Nyland-Funke for letting us park on their property and being fabulous neighbors to Camp DREAM Nancy Patch for researching and writing a discounted Forest Management Plan for camp April Villemaire for reviewing our camp dining hall plans and offering to help with the construction Dr. Fred Holmes for volunteering to be our camp doctor and reviewing camp medical protocols Deb Berman of Camp Starfish, Peg Kamens and Jim Mendell of Camp Common Ground for advice on how to start a camp!

Vermont Children’s Aid, Eastern Mountain Sports, and Jeff Kinkaid for donations of winter clothing to Camp DREAM The Newton Family and The O’Connell Family for wholeheartedly supporting our camp Analese Dunn, for immeasurable help in preparing and running DREAMstock and Winter Adventure Camp The Chill Program for giving our UVM and St. Mike’s kids a chance to snowboard!

AmeriCorps VISTA for funding half of our fantastic staff!

The Verizon Foundation for sponsoring tech classes Saturn of South Burlington for donating bicycles to Camp DREAM The Vermont Mentoring Partnership for granting us the Outstanding Mentor Program Award Finally, we’d like to thank all of the following people who came to camp in summer 2004 to help run our first camper sessions: Alecia Harrington, Brianna Dusseault, Chris Starkey, Laura Burt, Devon Green, Kristin Lavallie, Kerrie Johnson, Aisha Siebert, George Schofield, Jen Lazar, Jill York

...Aleasia, Kenny, Dusty, Jeff, Meho, Michael, Mike, Michael, Christian, Dalton & Courteney!

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Alumni Organization: News & Updates Alumni Org Facts Executive Officers President: Jesse Foote (D’01) Treasurer: Drew Sheriff (D’01) Secretary: Mike Foote (D’01) Committee Co-Chairs Governance: Paul Biggs (D’01) Alumni Fund: Drew Sheriff (D’01) Young Alumni: Rebecca Taxier(D’03) & Aaron Gaines (UVM’03) Connections: Mike Foote (D’01) Reunions: Ed Bialas (D’01) & Lauren Emerson (D’01) Regional Coordinators Boston: Erica Mintzer (D’02) New York: Ed Bialas (D’01) & Lauren Emerson (D’01) Southern/DC: Sean Alpert (D’01) & Shivani Bammi (D’01) West Coast: Kristin Romberg (D’01) Class Representatives Dartmouth 2001: Judy Huang 2002: Laura Burt & Sarah Siegel 2003: Rebecca Taxier 2004: Michael Newton UVM 2003: Aaron Gaines 2004: Lindsey Davis

The DREAM office would like to thank DREAM alumni for continuing to support and inspire...

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Alumni Organization: News & Updates

by Paul Biggs, Central Office Alumni Liaison 2004 was an exciting year for our fledgling Alumni Organization.

The primary focus of the Alumni Council and general members was to build and shape the organization’s foundation, for long term sustainability. Each Committee took on a separate facet of this theme.

The Young Alumni Committee worked on welcoming and involving the 104 new Dartmouth and UVM graduates, in the Alumni Organization’s first effort to do so. Older class representatives helped facilitate the process, rallying fellow recent graduates to personally reach out and welcome 2004 grads. The Committee also organized a few online chats, in conjunction with other Committee Co-Chairs, to inform new alumni about opportunities to get involved in the Alumni Organization Council and Committees.

The Governance Committee began drafting a Constitution to help guide the growth of the Alumni Organization as a whole. Though still a work in progress, the basic foundation of how the organization operates and is structured was defined. The Governance Committee also worked on putting election tools in place to prepare it for the first round of officer elections, to be held in 2005.

The Alumni Fund Committee distributed a full round of grants, dispersing $1,500 to help fund trips for three local programs (Norwich/Green Acres went skiing at Killington, Dartmouth/Armory went to New York City and Dartmouth/Hollow Drive/Northwoods went to Boston). The Committee was also instrumental in raising $9,122 during the 2004 Alumni Annual Appeal.

What a huge success!

Alumni Membership: Total Alumni: 343 Dartmouth…

Alumni: Honorary Alumni:

250 64

UVM… Alumni: Honorary Alumni:

19 10

...Ed Willenbaker and the Winooski Housing Authority for housing the DREAM office...

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Central Office: News & Updates Greetings from the DREAM office... We’ve had a lot of changes over the past year!

Our office has grown, both literally and in terms of staff members. With plans to double the amount of Central Office staff, we realized that the office itself was far too small. Fortunately, the Winooski Housing Authority worked with us to expand the office by about 50%!

The new staff, comprised of four AmeriCorps*VISTA members, started in August of 2004, just in time for the 04-05 school year: Jill York, Development Director; David Anderson (D’04), Camp Director; Chad Butt (D’04), Program Director; and Jen Lazar, Program Director. In addition, we also gained a volunteer staff member, Lu Neuse (D’02), in October. She has been serving as Camp Director alongside David Anderson.

You can read articles chronicling each of their experiences on the next few pages.

DREAM was also sad to see staff members leave; Elana Davidson, Family Advocate, ended her VISTA service in August. Jesse Foote also departed at the end of 2004, knowing that camp was in safe hands with David and Lu. The office has seen numerous other improvements, including a slew of technological advances (see article) and, of course, increased productivity due to all of our wonderful improvements and additions!

The DREAM Staff on a retreat, December 2004 (Clockwise from L rear): Lu Neuse, Mike Foote, Jesse Foote, Chad Butt, David Anderson, Paul Biggs, Jon Potter, Jill York, Jen Lazar

Central Office Technology Update

by Paul Biggs, Central Office During 2004, DREAM added a number of new technology enhancements, both to make our work easier and more effective, and also to help spread the energy and enthusiasm of our programs.

On the productivity side of things, the DREAM office now has a fully functional tech center for use by mentors and staff (including an ID card printer, color printer, photo printer, black and white printer, draft printer, and fax machine). This is shared across our wireless network, which also provides access and support for the neighboring Winooski Family Center/Baird Center staff. Additionally in 2004, the office added a server to administer the network, backup staff computers, and provide officewide document sharing and management.

As we move into 2005, the next goal is to update our sluggish donor and volunteer databases to something more robust and versatile.

On the “more-exciting, look-how-fun-theDREAM-office-is” side of things, we added very cool photo gallery software to our website. You should check it out: www.dreamprogram.smugmug.com We also added a few methods of communication and interaction to the website, including a bulletin board/forum, chat rooms, and a survey/ballot tool to help everyone stay in touch, give feedback, and work together. It’s all pretty slick! You can find all this and more at www.dreamprogram.org.

...Andre, Randy, and the rest of the WHA crew for their constant support...

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Central Office: News & Updates DREAM Wins Outstanding Mentoring Award!

By Jon Potter For the second year in a row, DREAM has won the Vermont Mentoring Partnership’s award for outstanding mentor organization.

The award was presented to DREAM at Vermont’s premier mentoring event, the annual Mentors Make a Difference Conference. Vermont has done great work to support and develop its mentoring programs, particularly through the Vermont Mentoring Partnership, the Permanent Fund for Children and Families, and the Agency of Human Services. This support for mentoring has had a visible effect. DREAM has been consistently impressed by the number and quality of mentoring programs in all regions of the state.

Vermont is fortunate to have such a thriving mentoring community, and DREAM is honored to receive this award amongst such an impressive group of colleagues.

Honk Honk! It’s the DREAM Bus!

by Jill York, Central Office In March of 2004, after scouring the state of Vermont for the most ideal vehicle, DREAM acquired a bus. The yellow school bus was purchased from Mathieus Enterprises, a local school bus company, and in July of 04, was painted by the AmeriCorps*NCCC crew, staff, and a few kids from Elm St. The bus has already had quite the journey, having been to camp, Boston, and skiing trips on more than one occasion. In 2005, the bus will hopefully take kids to camp all summer long!

...Roger and the Charlebois crew for housing and taking care of the bus...

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Central Office: Staff Hellos and Goodbyes

by Jen Lazar & Chad Butt, Central Office (Jen and Chad currently serve as Program Directors) There is no easy way to characterize our experiences with DREAM over the past few months.

When asked “What’s it like working with DREAM?” my quick answers of “Amazing. Wonderful.

Incredible.” do very little justice to the actual experiences that either of us have had with DREAM kids, families, mentors, and the rest of the Central Office Staff.

We often find ourselves supplementing these quick answers with stories from Friday DREAM and Camp, or anecdotes that DREAM parents have shared with me. Here’s one of our new favorites: It was a Friday before one of our colleges was about to go on break. Some DREAM mentors were explaining to the kids that they wouldn’t be having DREAM next Friday because of the college break.

The kids were at first curious (“The college closes? Where do you go?!”) and then suddenly up in arms: “We should have DREAM anyway!” one kid announced to the others. A pause, and then: “Yea! Definitely.” Then another young girl took up the cause: “We’ll just tell the president of the college... Where was his office again? Yea. We’ll just tell him that he has to keep the school open for us... For DREAM!” “We’ll come to campus anyway!” they chorused. The mentors looked at each other in disbelief of the little revolution that was being plotted in their presence. Had the past few months really meant this much to these kids? Indeed, it had.

Over the past few months we have both had the opportunity to talk with the parents in our programs. It’s been great to hear how much of a difference DREAM is making in their children’s lives. In October the office received a letter from an Armory Square parent that showed us all how much DREAM means to the families. It is things like this that make us feel privileged to do this for a job.

Letter from a DREAM Parent Hey Dream Peeps!!! Great Site!!! I would like to take this opportunity to thank all you guys for your valiant efforts to guide and enhance the lives of our children!

I cant speak for all the parents but some of us never dreamed of being in the position we find ourselves in...

The lack of anyone really taking the time with kids when they are young plays a big part in their views of themselves. Believing (because of the lack of exposure to anything wholesome and constant) that life is nothing more than one fight after the next. No talk of college....No talk of self worth.....Nothing said about achieving much. Half the kids I know here don't even consider themselves college material. Its sad.....But then you guys come tramping in!! And the kids go “WOW!!

I want to be them!!!!”

Now as for me I’ve never let my daughter Lael believe anything less about herself. Sounds good but in her reality she just sees she doesn't quite fit in. She spends a lot of her time acting like a clown. Its her safety net trying not to feel hurt and just believe in us. The folks in town don't accept kids at Armory and the kids here view her a spoiled.

Till you guys come and she says "Yes I'll be okay" I may not be allowed to do the things I see outside but I am allowed to dream of my future"!

Please don't take what I'm saying lightly. Its important!

Lael LOVES her mentor Sarah. Lael is constantly impressed

by Sarah's ambition and exciting nature! Sarah is a VERY good example to a young impressionable 9 year old girl! I thank you guys from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to make a difference in a great and varied amount of ways to these kids!!!!

...Daniel Shearer, for his constant support of assistance whenever needed...

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Central Office: Staff Hellos and Goodbyes

by Jill York, Central Office (Jill currently serves as Development Director) DREAM is a difficult phenomenon to understand. I know precisely the moment when I “got it.” It was October 22, and I had spent the entire day up at Camp DREAM, preparing dishes and food, setting up campsites and lugging water. At about 6:00 that night, just as dusk was settling over Fletcher, we saw headlights down on the camp road. Slowly, the voices of the mentors wafted up the hill, and before I knew it, I was surrounded by all of these bubbly, energetic faces, excited to meet one another and jam on DREAM issues.

That weekend, DREAMstock, went by quickly; we sang crazy songs by the campfire, painted rocks, and slept under the stars in, what to me, seemed like the freezing cold.

But no matter how cold I got or how tired, I had the energy of over 100 psyched-up mentors to contend with, and I never lost it.

I went back to work the following Monday feeling refreshed, and understanding my job so much better, and it was only a matter of time before I felt like I’d been with DREAM forever.

Try spending an hour with a DREAMer and not catching their crazy, exuberant, contagious energy...I dare you.

By Lu Neuse, Central Office (Lu currently serves as Assistant Camp Director) It was the second week in October, and the leaves were near peak as Jesse and Dave drove me out to Camp for the first time. A hilly, marshy, dense little patch of forest perched on the edge of a gorgeous pond, sparkling in the sunshine. The ground was a carpet of red, orange, and gold, matching the canopy overhead.

As we tromped around, I was reminded strongly of an image from Calvin and Hobbes, my favorite comic strip when I was a kid. Calvin and his imaginary friend had a backyard that was enormous, and hilly, and more like a national park than any yard I ever saw, growing up in suburban CT. As a child, I wanted more than anything to have a yard like that to explore, and play, and get lost in, to take my red wagon over its cliffs and climb its old trees and play in its ponds and streams. I wanted it to be mine.

On that October day, it seemed to me that I had finally found the place that I was in love with as a child, a place that is wild and beautiful and open to infinite possibilities for exploration, discovery, and dreaming. A place that is ours. A place that every DREAM child can own, and make their own.

And so, I fell in love with Camp, and its infinite beauty and potential. As 2004 drew to a close, and we started preparing for 2005, there really wasn’t anywhere I would rather have been.

See you at Camp.

...and Sue Luck from Mobius for all of her help!

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Central Office: Staff Hellos and Goodbyes

By Dave Anderson, Central Office (Dave currently serves as Camp Director) Making the transition from the Dartmouth local programs to the main office and to Camp DREAM, I have been continuously impressed by the amazing people that are drawn to DREAM .

Each Dave rides a camp member of the office staff has bicycle such unique talents, and they are all so compelling as people that I feel I could follow them to the ends of the earth. Each local program has its own distinctive character and its own uniquely brilliant set of mentors and families. Each visitor who is enthralled by both our program and our possibilities at Camp DREAM only serves to further convince me that this is one of the greatest opportunities of my life. I can’t say enough about how happy I am to be working as Camp Director for DREAM, and I definitely can’t say enough about how optimistic I am about the potential for social change that derives from such a motivated, enthusiastic, and inspiring collective.

Elana Davidson served as Family Advocate from 2003 until August 2004.

During her time with DREAM, she initiated a study center and community garden space, and also made significant contributions to Camp, serving as our first ever waterfront director.

Thank you, Elana.

We know that you will continue to do good work wherever your life’s path takes you.

by Jesse Foote, Central Office (Jesse served as Camp Director from 2003-2005) Painting a T shirt on the back of a school bus An office regularly overrun by children Playing mafia ‘till midnight Waking up at 4:45 to haul gear to camp Having my computer’s mouse taped down to my desk Getting prank calls from mentors Shoveling slush out of 3 inches of standing water so that our broomball court could re-freeze Dragging a 250 lb wood stove uphill on a makeshift sled The perfect golden brown marshmallow Becoming a regular at Aubochaun’s Hardware Firelight on my face as I reveal the fate of the Jones’ Raucous retreats Buying my first 20 bales of hay Working with some crazy cool motivated fun folks

Jesse on a staff retreat in August 2004

For these and many other fond memories, thanks DREAM – I know I’ll never have another job quite like this.

Don’t forget—DREAM gear is now available on our website…

31

Fundraising & Finances: Donor Thank You Congratulations!

We would like to recognize our generous donors for their support of DREAM. It is your interest and involvement which allow us to expand not only the number of communities we serve, but the diversity of our programming as well.

Thank you to all of our supporters, both new and old, and congratulations!

$2,000+

Ed Potter James and Vivian Buzzard Regina Olchowski Andrew and Helen Biggs

$1,000+

Karla and Ian Kennedy Alice Foote Terry Lierman Connie Lierman The Johnston Family Karen and Lowell Richards Jon Potter Mike Foote

$500+ Dr. and Mrs. H Alexander Wilson Umang P. and Ruth Gupta Juan Vasquez Laura Burt Jeff Kinkaid Austin Wheeler

$250+

Laura Munder and Charlie Mann The Fitz Family Richard and Mary Gamelli Ellen Wolfson and Neil Groberg W. Brinkley and Patricia Dickerson Jesse Foote Ed Bialas Judy Huang Peter Helseth

$100+ Janet Foote Dan and Linda Yager Bill Rankin Ed Willenbaker

Barbara Guttman Nan and Tom Sherburne David Foote Robert and Teresa Brennan The Gatts Family Harry and Kathleen Wellens Thomas Chandler Elizabeth Lee Andrew and Judith Shepard Margaret Biggs The Ellingwood Family Dave and Kathie Shellenbarger George and Carol West Susan and Earl Burt Jeffrey and Janice Hanson Myles and Patricia Pensak Elizabeth Foote and Eric Thorgerson Marian Menkel and Ira Mintzer The Young Family Jeffrey and Linda Norris The Sheiko Family Karen and Jeff Ross Mary Ippolito Deborah Kirshner Jen Lazar and Daniel Shearer Glenn and Pamela Rosenthal Laura and Dennis Donovan The Schnitzer Family Barbara Callahan Erica Rivinoja Paul Biggs Schoor DePalma Tim Wright Kate Knight Emily Rummo Sam Fitz Sam Glickman Lutricia Neuse-Braunlich Emilie Knaus Brianna Dusseault Ian Laing Michael Newton

…at www.dreamprogram.org/store!

Nicholas Dankers Wellpoint Foundation

$50+

The Hubbell Family Timothy and Mary Fox Henry Dusseault The Thayer Family William and Jennifer Auer The Zaslove/Scott Family Sithara Batcha Arnold and Joyce Fruman Mark Sherburne Richard and Suzanne Rothstein David and Concetta Goodrich Susan Kishi Priscilla and John Hall Sharley Washburn Patti Eckels The Gee Family The Doherty Family Janet and Bob Kmetz David and Janine Paradee The Warren Family Julia Guttman Mary Caswell Nancy and Peter Lazar Jillian York John Gergely Matt Griffiths Anonymous Tracy Kim Katie Reichardt Jeff Cooney Maya Srikanth Sarah Siegel Rachel Richardson Leah Threatte Rebecca Taxier David Mahler Giulia Good-Stefani

32

Fundraising & Finances: Donor Thank You Erica Mintzer Genevieve Sonsino Brian Hannigan Brian Feldman Beth Huston Kathryn Ross Margaret Kuecker Elizabeth Rosen Chat Butt Allegra Love Aaron Gaines

$25+

Erin McKay Alexis Sheehan Jorge Miranda Pablo De La Huerta Hillary Dunlevy Dave Anderson Ivan Cestero Erinna Bowman Macon Phillips Drew Sheriff Jeannie Eisberg Dean Krishna Christine Ennis Chance Hill Julia Geier Neil Grimaldi Francesca Anderson Andrea Haffty Carly O’Connell Alka Singal

Daniella Hirschfeld Dominic Germana Janos Marton

$1+ Claire Chandler Josh Pence Christina Hoe Eric Bussey Sarah Stokes Greta Milligan Roshan Shah Katie Stevenson Pat Leslie Kristi Kushmerek Robert Bialas Ralph and Josephine Davies John and Donna Reed Roger and Joyce Dittman Lyn Ujlaky The Hamon Family William and Denise Wolf Michael and Barbara Fletcher Aimee and Taylor Roberts Stephen and Mary Jane Higgins Alden and Corrie James James and Jane Lewis Barbara Charles Robert and Cynthia Basdekis George and Barbara Bartlett Meg and Phil Nyborg Sandie and Terry York David and Mary Ann Baker

Special thanks to the following for exceptional financial support…

The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board U.S. Department of Health and Human Services AmeriCorps*VISTA AmeriCorps*NCCC Winooski Housing Authority Barre Housing Authority The O’Connell Family The Newton Family Vermont Agency of Human Services James T. Bowse Community Health Trust The Salmon Foundation Jan and Mary Jane Rozendaal The Byrne Foundation The Vermont Children’s Trust The Donley Foundation Mobius: The Mentoring Movement The Henderson Foundation Casey Family Services

The Krentz Family Karen and Charles Brown Jerrold and Lidia Rosenbaum The Goldstein Family Helen Crosby Arlene Shorten-Goodrich David and Patricia Harlow Linda and Paul Lefebvre Jan and Tom Curley Charles and Dorothy Basdekis Carl and Jessica Ellis Robert and Susan Ladenburger The Cerbone Family Carol Gaines Mark and Laurie Young Theodore and Deborah Jamba Richard and Lee Ellen Magna Tom and Corinne Potter Paul Klenk Molly Stutzman Tim Yang Anonymous Sarah Cooper Kristi Cannon Nick Koshnick Brooke Lierman Melissa Sheiko Jocelyn Singer-Sargent Lindsey Davis Molly Redmond

THE DREAM PROGRAM, INC. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED) DECEMBER 31, 2004 ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents Temporarily restricted contributions receivable Accounts receivable

$ 82,465 83,000 10,092

Total current assets

175,557

LONG-TERM ASSETS: Equipment Land Accumulated depreciation

5,500 100,000 (550)

Total property and equipment, net

104,950

Cash restricted for college accounts Other temporarily restricted assets

272 84,275

Total long-term assets

189,497

TOTAL ASSETS

$ 365,054

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS CURRENT LIABILITIES Current portion of long-term debt Accounts payable

$

4,387 4,487

Total current liabilities

8,874

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: Long-term debt minus current portion

44,874

Total long-term liabilities

44,874

Total liabilities

53,748

NET ASSETS: Net assets, beginning of year Unrestricted net income Temporarily restricted net income Total net assets TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS See notes to financial statements.

151,259 69,735 90,311 311,306 $ 365,054

THE DREAM PROGRAM, INC. STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES (UNAUDITED) YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004

Unrestricted REVENUES, GAINS, AND OTHER SUPPORT: Contributions Government Foundations Companies Organizations Individuals Fees Investment income Sales to public Fundraising events Net assets released from restrictions: Satisfaction of program restrictions

$

12,000 660 275 76,023 70,419 307 6,487 3,906

Temporarily Restricted

Total

$ 100,100 51,704 25,000 16,595 -

$ 100,100 63,704 660 25,275 92,619 70,419 307 6,487 3,906

103,088

(103,088)

273,165

90,311

363,477

82,909 33,196 48,333

-

82,909 33,196 48,333

Total program services

164,439

-

164,439

Supporting Services: General and administrative Fundraising

26,170 12,820

-

26,170 12,820

Total supporting services

38,991

-

38,991

Total functional expenses

203,430

-

203,430

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

69,735

90,311

160,047

NET ASSETS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

41,317

109,942

151,259

111,052

$ 200,253

$ 311,306

Total revenues FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES: Program Services: School-year programs Summer programs Camp DREAM

NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR

See notes to financial statements.

$

-

THE DREAM PROGRAM, INC. STATEMENT OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES (UNAUDITED) YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004 School-Year Programs FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES: Salaries and related expenses Payroll taxes Health insurance Housing stipends Other benefits Staff development Staff recruitment Legal Accounting and payroll Engineering and design Other professional services Office and occupancy Phone, fax, and internet Website Technology Marketing Risk management Evaluation Supplies Food Postage Printing and duplication Building materials Activities Travel and transportation Lodging DREAM gear purchases Dues and subscriptions Interest and fees Taxes Depreciation TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES See notes to financial statements.

Program Services Summer Camp Programs DREAM

Total

Supporting Services General and Administrative Fundraising Total

$ 26,000 1,989 3,074 5,250 314 1,968 90 20 1,077 9,238 4,000 4,014 3,496 88 3,138 8,871 1,500 8,182 25 27 550

$ 25,525 1,989 946 307 10 1,022 1,413 19 582 1,384 -

$ 13,900 949 1,300 6,275 150 554 8,200 1,851 554 207 677 3,401 1,666 16 1,555 1,684 897 2,719 1,780 -

$ 65,425 4,927 5,320 11,525 772 2,533 8,200 1,851 644 207 20 1,077 9,914 4,000 8,437 6,575 122 1,555 3,720 11,939 1,500 9,078 25 2,746 1,780 550

$

6,000 459 709 4,520 73 436 100 1,605 2,258 750 890 440 2,597 1,500 1,060 616 511 857 89 256 333 111 -

$ 82,909

$ 33,196

$ 48,333

$ 164,439

$ 26,170

$

Total Expenses

9,000 689 1,064 1,295 109 341 97 226 -

$ 15,000 1,148 1,773 5,815 181 777 100 1,605 2,258 750 890 440 2,597 1,500 1,158 616 737 857 89 256 333 111 -

$ 80,425 6,074 7,093 17,340 953 3,309 100 1,605 2,258 8,200 1,851 1,394 1,097 460 2,597 1,077 11,414 4,000 9,594 7,191 737 979 1,555 3,720 12,028 1,756 9,078 358 2,857 1,780 550

$ 12,820

$ 38,991

$ 203,430

THE DREAM PROGRAM, INC. STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net (decrease) increase in net assets Adjustments to reconcile net (decrease) increase in net assets to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: Depreciation Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents as a result of a change in: Advances and other receivables Grants receivable Other temporarily restricted assets Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$

160,047

550 3,309 (42,764) (14,842) 52,874

Net cash used in operating activities

159,174

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of equipment Proceeds from sales of investments Purchases of investments Purchase of land

(5,500) (95,000)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

(100,500)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from contributions restricted for: Investment in endowment Investment in plant Investment subject to annuity agreements Other financing activities: Interest and dividends restricted for reinvestment Payments of annuity obligation Payments on notes payable Payments on long-term debt

-

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

-

INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

58,674

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

23,791

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR

See notes to financial statements.

$

82,465

THE DREAM PROGRAM, INC. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004 1.

NATURE OF ORGANIZATION The DREAM Program, Inc. ("DREAM") was incorporated on November 20, 2001. With offices in Winooski, Vermont, DREAM is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to initiating and supporting mentoring programs between residents of government subsidized housing developments in Vermont and college students with campuses in Vermont and New Hampshire. DREAM's mission is to create communities of families and college students that empower children from affordable housing neighborhoods to recognize their options, make informed decisions, and achieve their dreams. DREAM is recognized as tax exempt by the Internal Revenue Service, which has granted DREAM 501(c)(3) status.

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of presentation - Net assets, revenues and expenses are classified based on the existence or absence of donoror grantor-imposed restrictions. Accordingly, the net assets of DREAM and the changes therein are classified and reported as follows: •

Unrestricted net assets - net assets that are not subject to donor- or grantor-imposed restrictions.

•

Temporarily restricted net assets - contributions, grants, and income whose use by DREAM has been limited by donors or grantors to a specific time or purpose.

•

Permanently restricted net assets - net assets subject to donor-imposed stipulations that are maintained permanently by DREAM. DREAM had no permanently restricted net assets in 2004.

Cash and cash equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on deposit with banks.

Investments - Investments in marketable equity securities with readily determinable fair values and all investments in debt securities are reported at fair value with gains and losses included in the statements of activities.

Federal income tax - DREAM has been determined to be a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and is exempt from federal income tax on related income pursuant to Section 501(a) of the Code. Accordingly, no provision for federal income tax has been recorded in the accompanying financial statements.

Contributions and grants - Contributions and grants are received from individuals, private industry, foundations, and government agencies. Contributions and grants may be designated by the donor for a specific project or given as a general contribution. All contributions and grants are considered to be available for general use unless specifically restricted by the donor. Contributions and grants, including unconditional promises to give, are recorded when made.

Grants from U.S. Government agencies are recorded in the period in which the funds become receivable on a letter of credit. Contributions and grants received for services which are required to be performed in future periods are accounted for as temporarily restricted assets. Amounts received which are required by the donor to be passed on to other organizations are recorded as a liability until the transfer is made.

Use of estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

3.

CORRECTIONS In DREAM's financial statements for year ended December 31, 2003, there were three errors that have been corrected for these financial statements. There were $246.20 in December 2003 credit card charges that were not included as an Account Payable or in the expenses. The Alumni Organization also earned $30.16 in interest that was not recorded. Finally, the Mentoring Partnership of Orange and Windsor County, for which DREAM is a fiscal agent, had $800 less in net assets at year's end that were recorded in the Notes to Financial Statements.

In DREAM's financial statements for year ended December 31, 2003, the following was recorded in the Statement of Financial Position: CURRENT LIABILITIES Current portion of long-term debt Employees and volunteers payable Accounts payable Accrued payroll Total current liabilities

$

628 -

$

628

These figures were in error. The following should have been recorded, with the increased liabilities carried throughout the financial statements: CURRENT LIABILITIES Current portion of long-term debt Employees and volunteers payable Accounts payable Accrued payroll Total current liabilities

$

628 246 -

$

874

This error results from December credit card charges that were incorrectly omitted. The following expenses should also have been added to the Statement of Functional Expenses: LOCAL PROGRAMS Postage Supplies

$

106 8

$

114

$

4 35 82

$

120

$

12

Total fundraising

$

12

Total expenses

$

246

Total local programs GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE Postage Phone, fax, and internet Printing and duplication Total general and administrative FUNDRAISING Postage

3.

CORRECTIONS (CONTINUED) In DREAM's financial statements for year ended December 31, 2003, the following was recorded in the Notes to Financial Statements: ALUMNI ORGANIZATION Net assets, beginning of year Revenues Expenses Net assets, end of year, alumni organization MPOW Net assets, beginning of year Revenues Expenses Net assets, end of year, mpow

$

3,450 3,769 (600)

$

6,619

$

8,000 (1,715)

$

6,285

These figures were in error. The following should have been recorded, with the changes carried throughout the financial statements: ALUMNI ORGANIZATION Net assets, beginning of year Revenues Expenses Net assets, end of year, alumni organization MPOW Net assets, beginning of year Revenues Expenses Net assets, end of year, mpow

$

3,450 3,799 (600)

$

6,649

$

8,000 (2,515)

$

5,485

These errors have been corrected for the financial statements for year ended December 31, 2004. This document and attached financial statements reflect the required corrections.

4.

POLICY CHANGES DREAM is the fiscal agent of MPOWER YOU (formerly MPOW: the Mentoring Partnership of Orange and Windsor Counties). In DREAM's financial statements for year ended December 31, 2003, DREAM documented its fiscal agent responsibilities in the Notes to Financial Statements but otherwise did not account for MPOWER YOU in the financial statements as a whole. In these financial statements, DREAM accounts for MPOWER YOU, and MPOWER YOU's activities have been retroactively applied to the financial statements for year ended December 31, 2003. The resulting changes for 2003 are as follows: REVENUES Temporarily restricted contributions Foundations Government Total temporarily restricted contributions

$

4,000 4,000

$

8,000

4.

POLICY CHANGES (CONTINUED) EXPENSES Local Programs Other professional services Staff development Marketing Risk management Food Travel

$

800 564 532 196 17 406

Total local programs expenses

$

2,515

Net assets

$

5,485

These changes have been incorporated into the financial statements for year ended December 31, 2004. MPOWER YOU's revenues and expenses in 2004 are included in the attached financial statements.

5.

NOTES PAYABLE Notes payable consist of the following at December 31, 2004: ACCOUNTS PAYABLE Fleet credit card Total accounts payable

$

4,487

$

4,487

Accounts payable to Fleet were accumulated on DREAM's credit card. No payments were overdue.

6.

LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31, 2004: LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt minus current portion Current portion of long-term debt Total long-term debt

$

44,874 4,387

$

49,261

DREAM's long-term debt is in the form of a bridge loan from Banknorth to finance the purchase of DREAM's camp property until receipt of the grant from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board.

7.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVABLE Vermont housing and conservation board

$

83,000

$

83,000

$

6,400 1,600 2,092

Total other accounts receivable

$

10,092

Total accounts receivable

$

93,092

Total temporarily restricted contributions receivable OTHER ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE Barre housing authority Burlington housing authority Winooski housing authority

8.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property and equipment consist of the following at December 31, 2004: Property Equipment Less accumulated depreciation

$ 100,000 5,500 (550)

Property and equipment, net

$ 104,950

In May of 2004, DREAM purchased a $100,000 property in Fletcher, Vermont. DREAM's equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis over its useful life.

9.

REVENUES, GAINS, AND OTHER SUPPORT In the Statement of Activities, the following income was recorded under "Revenues, gains, and other support:" TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTIONS Government Vermont housing and conservation board (receivable) Vermont agency of human services (armory square program) State of vermont (summer lunch program) Compassion capital fund (unspent portion from 2003) Total government Foundations James t. bowse health trust (forest park program) Salmon foundation (camp program) Byrne foundation (northwoods/hollow drive program) Vermont children's trust fund (camp program) Total foundations Companies Chittenden bank (green acres program) Schoor depalma (employee match) Pepsico foundation (employee match) Total companies Organizations Mobius (birchwood start-up) Total organizations Individuals Camp dream contributions

$ 83,000 16,621 563 (85) $ 100,100 $ 15,646 13,500 12,000 10,558 $ 51,704 $

500 100 60

$

660

$ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 16,595

Total individuals

$ 16,595

Total temporarily restricted contributions

$ 194,059

SATISFACTION OF PROGRAM RESTRICTIONS Total temporarily restricted revenues, gains, and other support

$ (103,088) $ 90,971

9.

REVENUES, GAINS, AND OTHER SUPPORT (CONTINUED) UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTIONS Foundations Donley foundation (operating support) Total foundations Organizations The tabard (general support) Sirius (general support) Total organizations Individuals Unrestricted donations received

$ 12,000 $ 12,000

$

225 50

$

275

$ 76,023

Total individuals

$ 76,023

Total unrestricted contributions

$ 88,298

FEES, UNRESTRICTED INCOME Housing authorities Burlington housing authority (received) Burlington housing authority (receivable) Winooski housing authority (received) Winooski housing authority (receivable) Barre housing authority (received) Barre housing authority (receivable) Total fees, unrestricted income

$ 20,800 1,600 23,028 2,092 16,500 6,400 $ 70,419

UNRESTRICTED INVESTMENT INCOME Money market interest

$

307

Total unrestricted investment income

$

307

$

6,487

$

6,487

$

3,906

$

3,906

SALES TO PUBLIC, UNRESTRICTED INCOME Dream gear Total sales to public, unrestricted income FUNDRAISING EVENTS Local program fundraising events Total other unrestricted income SATISFACTION OF PROGRAM RESTRICTIONS Satisfaction of program restrictions

$ 103,088

Total satisfaction of program restrictions

$ 103,088

Total unrestricted revenues, gains, and other support

$ 272,505

Total revenues, gains, and other support

$ 363,477

10.

FUNCTIONAL EXPENSE SALARY ESTIMATES Estimates were made for the purpose of breaking salaries down into functional expense categories. The following estimates were made for 2004: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR School-year programs Summer programs Camp dream General and administrative Fundraising

$

8,000 3,000 4,000 6,000 9,000

$

30,000

$

18,000 5,000 7,000

$

30,000

$

17,525

$

17,525

$

2,900

$

2,900

Total school-year programs

$

26,000

Total summer programs

$

25,525

Total camp dream

$

13,900

Total general and administrative

$

6,000

Total fundraising

$

9,000

Total salaries

$

80,425

Total executive director PROGRAM DIRECTOR School-year programs Summer programs Camp dream Total program director SUMMER INTERNS Summer programs Total summer interns CAMP STAFF Camp dream Total camp staff

11.

AMERICORPS*VISTA MEMBERS In addition to paid staff members, DREAM is a sponsoring organization for AmeriCorps*VISTA. In 2004, DREAM held five full-time AmeriCorps*VISTA positions. The AmeriCorps*VISTA members are recruited, hired, and managed by DREAM, but their compensation is paid by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Through CNCS, AmeriCorps*VISTA members receive a living allowance, health insurance, an educational award, and other benefits. Their compensation from CNCS is not included in these financial statements. DREAM provides a housing stipend to these members, which is paid directly to each VISTA member's landlord.

12.

INTEREST AND FEES In the Statement of Functional Expenses, within the category "Interest and fees," the following expenses were recorded: SCHOOL-YEAR PROGRAM Local program bank fees

$

27

$

27

$

1,821 797 82 20

$

2,719

$

75 21 15 (1)

Total general and administrative

$

111

Total interest and fees

$

2,857

Total local programs CAMP DREAM Land loan interest Land purchase transaction fees Town of fletcher permit fees Camp bank fees Total camp dream GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE Central office bank fees Central office credit card fees Secretary of state biennial report fee Paypal account verification

13.

TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED NET ASSETS DREAM holds temporarily restricted net assets with a total value of $84,546.71 as of December 31, 2004. DREAM has an additional $83,000 in receivable temporarily restricted assets.

Of the total temporarily restricted net assets, $271.94 is the result of donations by individuals who designated that their donations be used as college savings for specific children in the program. In the event that the children do not attend college by their 30th birthday, the funds will be given in the form of a scholarship to another child to be selected by committee. Committee members will be nominated by DREAM's Board of Directors.

The following children have donations in their name at December 31, 2004: Dakota Salls Plus accumulated interest Nedra Keenan Plus accumulated interest Bank fee

$ 100.00 0.34 175.00 0.60 (4.00)

Assets temporarily restricted for college savings

$ 271.94

OTHER TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED NET ASSETS Local programs Mobius (birchwood start-up)

$ 16,667

Total local programs

$ 16,667

13.

TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED NET ASSETS (CONTINUED) High adventure Elm street Templeton Total high adventure

$

4,704 11,281

$ 15,986

Camp dream

$ 50,478

Mpower you

$

1,145

Total other temporarily restricted net assets

$ 84,275

Total temporarily restricted net assets (non-receivable)

$ 84,547

DREAM has an additional $83,000 in receivable temporarily restricted assets. This entire amount is a grant from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board in support of DREAM's land purchase in Fletcher, Vermont. The grant is for $100,000 with $17,000 taken off for administration of the conservation easement on the property.

14.

LOCAL PROGRAMS DREAM's local programs had the following net assets as of December 31, 2003: ELM STREET LOCAL PROGRAM Net assets, beginning of year Revenues Expenses Net assets, end of year, elm street local program

$

722 1,400 (1,904)

$

218

$

1,088 5,333 (3,838)

$

2,583

$

1,440 (1,443)

$

(3)

$

651 5,486 (4,215)

$

1,922

NORTHWOODS/HOLLOW DRIVE LOCAL PROGRAM Net assets, beginning of year Revenues Expenses Net assets, end of year, northwoods/hollow drive local program BIRCHWOOD LOCAL PROGRAM Net assets, beginning of year Revenues Expenses Net assets, end of year, birchwood local program ARMORY SQUARE LOCAL PROGRAM Net assets, beginning of year Revenues Expenses Net assets, end of year, armory square local program

14.

LOCAL PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) FRANKLIN SQUARE LOCAL PROGRAM Net assets, beginning of year Revenues Expenses Net assets, end of year, franklin square local program

$

2,156 1,722 (2,227)

$

1,650

$

888 297 (1,150)

$

35

$

(14) 1,185 (1,171)

$

(0)

GREEN ACRES LOCAL PROGRAM Net assets, beginning of year Revenues Expenses Net assets, end of year, green acres local program FOREST PARK LOCAL PROGRAM Net assets, beginning of year Revenues Expenses Net assets, end of year, forest park local program

All of the local programs' revenues and expenses are accounted for in these financial statements. The volunteers who run each local program have control over the program's funds.

15.

ALUMNI ORGANIZATION DREAM's alumni organization had the following net assets as of December 31, 2004: Net assets, beginning of year Revenues Expenses Net assets, end of year, alumni organization

$

6,374 14,937 (900)

$

20,411

The Alumni Organization's revenues and expenses are accounted for in these financial statements. The alumni organization, consisting of former DREAM volunteers, has control over the allocation of these funds.

16.

FISCAL AGENT RESPONSIBILITIES DREAM serves as the fiscal agent for the MPOWER YOU (formerly the Mentoring Partnership of Orange and Windsor County), a regional partnership in the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire. MPOWER YOU had the following net assets as of December 31, 2004: Net assets, beginning of year Revenues Expenses Net assets, end of year, mpower you

$

5,485 (4,340)

$

1,145

Dreams

by Langston Hughes Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow.