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Des Moines "I Have a Dream" Foundation Summer/Fall Newsletter 2012
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1 Summer/Fall2012|DesMoines“IHAVEADREAM”Foundation|www.desmoinesdreams.org 2507 University Ave | Des Moines, IA 50311 | 515-271-1976
“I HAVE A DREAM”FoundationDes Moines
Our Mission
Successbeginswithadream:TheDesMoines“IHaveaDream”Foundation
motivatesandempowerschildrenfromlow-incomecommunitiestoreachtheir
educationandcareergoalsbyprovidingalong-termprogramofmentoring,tutoringandenrichment,aswellastuition
assistanceforhighereducation.
DreamerstudentsfromacrossthecountryconvergedonDesMoinestobeinspiredandenergizedforanewschoolyearaswehostedthe2012NationalDreamerConferenceatDrakeUniversitythisJuly.
A“BIGDreamGathering”bymotivationalspeakerMitchMatthewskickedofftheDreamerConference,andprovidedanatmosphereofopennessandencouragementthatsetthetoneforthefollowingdaysofworkshopsandactivities.Conferencehighlightsincluded:• Studentsdissectingacoweyeball,
learningaboutfinancialliteracyandhowtoformulateanentrepreneurialpitchinworkshops
• Advisorsmeetingone-on-onewithstudentstoofferconstructivefeed-backonapplicationessaysandtipstoimprovetheirwriting
• CentralIowacollegesanduniversitiessettingupforaminicollegefair• AreaprofessionalsinteractingwithDreamersforalunchtime“CareerBingo”
networkingexercise• ExploringthePappajohnSculptureParkwithaDes Moines Registerartscritic
andtryingsomethingnewbypracticingyoga,ZumbaandtakingoutboatsatGray’sLakeParkandapresentationbyCharacterCountsofIowa.
Itwasanexcitingweekofactivities(manysaidthebestconferenceever!)organizedbyouraffiliateandpresentedwiththefinancialsupportof IowaRealty,J.E.DunnConstruction,Casey’sGeneralStoreandBankersTrust.
Big Dreams in Des Moines: National Conference Recap In this issue:
Page 2: NotesfromtheExecutiveDirectorOurWebsitehasaNewLookPage 3: Fun and FundraisersPages 4 & 5: IHADCommunitySnapshotsPage 6: 9CreativeWaystoGivePage 7: BrennanBuckley’sOp-EdfromThe Des Moines Register
IHAD Wish List: • Gas cards
($10denominations)• Schoolsupplysponsors
at$50donations
Summer/Fall2012|DesMoines“IHAVEADREAM”Foundation|www.desmoinesdreams.org 2 2507 University Ave | Des Moines, IA 50311 | 515-271-1976
A New York State of Mind: Collaboration Across Affiliates Notes from Executive Director Emily W. Hamilton
Our website has a new look! TheDesMoines“IHaveaDream”Foundationwebsitegotamakeover.It’seasierthanevertokeepupwithourDreamersbyvisitingDesMoinesDreams.org,whereyoucanseethelatestupdatesfromFacebook,andaccessphotosandvideosfromourevents.
Makinganonlinedonationviathewebsiteiseasy,andwe’vealsouploadedalloftheformsyoumightneed to become a mentor or encourageyourcompanytoinvestinIHAD.Clickovertoourpagetoday!
InJune,Imetwithleadersfromother“IHaveaDream”affiliatesinNewYorkCitytoshareideasandtourprogramsthatareontheforefrontofeducationalinnovation.Itwasawell-timedvisit,astheDesMoines“IHaveaDream”FoundationisstudyinghowtoexpandourprogramingandreachmorestudentsinDesMoines.
WhileinNewYork,IlearnedmoreabouttheHarlemChildren’sZone(HCZ),whichiswellknownforitsinnovativeapproachtochangingthelivesoflow-income,at-riskchildren.HCZpro-vides360°supportforchildrenandfamiliesintheneighborhoodfrombirththroughcollege.Itpairsschool-basedprogramingwithcomprehensivefamilyengagementandcollaboration.
IalsovisitedtwohighperformingpublicschoolsinHarlem:KIPPInfinityandDemocracyPrep.Theseschoolssethighexpectationsfortheirstudentsbydevelopingrigorousacademicprogramsandfos-teringcharacterdevelopmentineverystudent.Bothschoolsareabletodoallthis,andhaveexcep-tionalgraduationandcollegematriculationrates,allonpublicfunding–andwithalotofcommunitypartnerships.
TheHCZ,KIPPandDemocracyPrepprovidedsomegreatideasforusaswelooktowardadoptingournext“IHaveaDream”projectinDesMoinesin2013-2014.HereinDesMoines,wealreadyhaveaschoolsystemthatiscomparativelyquitestrong.Iamconfidentthatwecandevelopprogramsthatsupportourschoolsandneighborhoodsevenmore.
3 Summer/Fall2012|DesMoines“IHAVEADREAM”Foundation|www.desmoinesdreams.org 2507 University Ave | Des Moines, IA 50311 | 515-271-1976
Brews & Brownies Date: Tuesday,September25,2012Time: 6to8p.m.Place: CrèmeCupcake,54328thSt.northofIngersollCost:Suggesteddonationof$100percouple or$50perindividualticketRSVP: [email protected]
SWEET SUCCESS: Sweet Dreams raises record amount
Save the Date for “Brews & Brownies”
ForagroupofDesMoines“DreamMaker”women,fingerfoodssetthesceneforengagingapowerfulphilanthropicforce.Everyspringforthepastsixyears,acommitteeoflocalwomenhasgatheredtohost“SweetDreams”—agirlsnightgettogethertosupporttheDesMoines“IHaveaDream”Foundation.
ThisApril,Sweet Dreams raised more than $37,000 to provide support that will keep at-risk students in Des Moines in school,andhelpthemontheirwaytocollege.
Therightcombinationoffoodandfriendshipcanindeedhaveatremendousimpact.Inadditiontoappetizers,thisyear’seventfeaturedatouchingtestimonialfromapastDreamer,KristenHolcomb,whosharedhowtheorganizationhelpedher.
SpecialthankstohostsDottyandStanThurstonandtheCommitteememberswhoputtogetherthisspectactularevent:
Sara Bering, Nancy Bone, Diane Brown, Mary Cownie, Paula Duncan, Suzanne Farley, Priscilla Gilbert, Lynn Graves, Barbara Grefe, Ginny Hancock, Beth Koenig, Joan Middleton, Becky Moomey, Paula O’Brien, Kathy Stuart, Cheryl Sypal, Dotty Thurston, Nancy Vernon, Michele Whitty, Linda Witte
We are currently searching for a host and home for our Sweet Dreams 2013 event!
FALL EVENT:
It’sback-to-schooltimeforourDreamers,andthe“IHaveaDream”FoundationBoardiscelebratingwithBrews&Brownies,aneventthatwillhelpustowardourgoaloffullyfundingthisDreamerClass.
Sip,socializeandsampledecadentbrowniepairingsandlearnabouthowourinnovativemodelofdrop-outpreventionishelpinglocalat-riskkidssucceed.Plus,we’llhavetheopportunitytobidonafewfun“educational”experiencesforyouandyourfriends.
Tickets are limited. We hope you can join us!
Summer/Fall2012|DesMoines“IHAVEADREAM”Foundation|www.desmoinesdreams.org 4 2507 University Ave | Des Moines, IA 50311 | 515-271-1976
1. Out of the boardroom and into the classroom. MeetingatCallananMiddleSchoolallowedourboardastudents-eyeviewofourprogramming.2. Go long! ThankstoBoardMemberAndy Frantz,ourDreamersgotaninsidelookattheHawkeyefootballfacilitiesaspartoftheirUofIcampustour.3. One Classroom at a Time. ABC 5, Bankers Trust at CultureAll awardedusagrantandproducedastoryonIHADattheendofsixthgrade.4. Who doesn’t love a giant check? IHAD ExecutiveDirectorEmily Hamilton, Board Member Grant TaylorandProjectMan-agerBrianne SanchezpickedupaPrairieMeadowsgrantthisspring.5. Time, talent and treasure. Volunteer Molly House led a writing workshop as part of theDreamerConference,mentorBeth Stelle Jones greetedattendeesattheairportandJoan Mid-dleton and Leslie Grefeworkedcheck-in.
Educating our children is a community effort Families,donors,volunteers,educatorsandcompaniescometogether
toformourIHADcommunity
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5 Summer/Fall2012|DesMoines“IHAVEADREAM”Foundation|www.desmoinesdreams.org 2507 University Ave | Des Moines, IA 50311 | 515-271-1976
6. On your marks! TheContributors Breakfast Clubraised$5,000forIHADattheirannualHarvestDreams5K.7. Rookies with rooks. Volunteers challengedourDreamers to chessmatches as part of summer school. TheDreamerslovedlearningthegame’sstrategy-andwinningagainstvolunteers.8. It’s who you know.DreamerslearnednetworkingskillsduringaCareerBingogamewithlocalprofessionals.9. Hats off!OakridgeDreamerJennygraduatedfromtheUniversityofIowathisMay.10. Parents flip. DreamerparentshostedthefirstannualIHADPancakeBreakfasttoraisemoneytohelpsupportsummerprogramming.
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Summer/Fall2012|DesMoines“IHAVEADREAM”Foundation|www.desmoinesdreams.org 6 2507 University Ave | Des Moines, IA 50311 | 515-271-1976
9 Creative Ways to Give 1. Show your sympathy. Insteadofsendingyetanotherbouquettosomeonewhojustexperiencedaloss,honorthelovedone’slegacybymakingacharitabledonation.IHADsupporterMollyHousemakesmanyofherdonationstoourorganizationinmemoryofpeoplewhohavepassedaway.Wesendalettertothefamilyofthedeceasedinformingthemofthedonationmadeintheirlovedone’shonoronherbehalfandlettingthemknowthepowerfulimpactthatthecontributionhasforourcommunity.
2. Gift a Giving Card. Whattogiftthepersonwhohaseverything?AGivingCityCard,ofcourse!AvailablethroughtheGreaterDesMoinesCommunityFoundation,GivingCardscanbenefittheDesMoines“IHaveaDream”Foundationorany501(c)(3)charitableorganizationandareaseasytouseasaretailgiftcard.Commemo-rateaspecialoccasionorholidaywithaGivingCardandinspireotherstogiveback.Availableonlineviawww.desmoinesfoundation.org/giving-cards.
4. Sponsor a Dreamer. OurcurrentDreamerclassgraduatesin2018,whichmeanswehavefivemoreyearstoensuretheyarepreparedforcollegeandcareersafterhighschool.Considerbudgeting$5,000ayeartosupporttheprogrammingandsupplyneedsofaDreamerforthedurationoftheireducation.
5. Set up a recurring monthly donation.Ifwritingalargerannualcheckisn’tfeasible,we’remorethanhappytoworkwithyoutospreadyourgivingoutoverthecourseoftheyear.
6. Contribute through your employer. Mostemployersenablecharitabledonationsthatarededuct-edfromyourpaycheck.Weappreciatetheboardmembers,mentorsandvolunteerswhocontinuetogivethroughtheiremployercampaigns.It’salwaysgreatwhenemployersmatchdonations,too.
3. Pledge through Birdies for Charity. DidyouknowthatwestartacceptingdonationsthroughthePrincipalCharityClassicBirdiesforCharityprogramwhenthegolfgreensarecoveredinsnow?NotonlydoestheDesMoines“IHaveaDream”Foundationreceive100%ofeverydonationcollectedthroughBirdies,wealsoreceivea25%matchofthosefunds.So,ifyougive$100throughBirdies,weget$125!
7. Underwrite an event. Aswelooktoscaleupourprogramming,wewillbehostingmorefundandfriendraiserstospreadthewordaboutIHAD’smissionandimpact.We’relookingforindividualsandcompanieswhocanprovidein-kindandfinancialsupporttohelpunderwritetheseimportantevents.
8. Explore planned giving. EnsureyourownmeaningfullegacybyworkingwithourstafftowriteIHADintoyourwill.ThiskindofgivingwillconnectyouwithfosteringthenextgenerationofDesMoinescitizensinapowerfulway.
9. Organize a drive. Hostingadinnerparty?Insteadofaskingeveryonetobringadessert,requestthattheybring$10gasstationgiftcardsoranothersmalldonationtosupport“IHaveaDream.”Ourfamiliesstruggletoputgasintheirvehiclestogettheirkidstoschool,andsoweoccasionallyprovidegascardsatparentprogramstomeetthisneed.Thesesmalldonationscanhaveabigimpact,nottomention,drivesamongfriendsareagreatwaytospreadthewordaboutourinspiringmission.
7 Summer/Fall2012|DesMoines“IHAVEADREAM”Foundation|www.desmoinesdreams.org 2507 University Ave | Des Moines, IA 50311 | 515-271-1976
OpportunitygapsremainintheDesMoinescommunity,andbusinessleaders,youngprofessionalsandevenlocalcompaniescanstepuptohelpat-riskstudents.Weareallstakeholders,regardlessofwhetherourchildrenarecurrentlyenrolledinthepublicschoolsystem.Notonlyisfosteringallkidstotheirfullestpotentialtherightthingtodotohelpthemrealizetheirdreams,buttheiracademicsuccessdirectlytiesbacktothehealthofourlocaleconomy. Wecanalltakealeadershiprolewithineducation.Thatresponsibilitycan’trestsolelywithourschooladministrators,teachersandparents.Educatingourchildrenmustbeacommunityeffort.Makingsuremoreofourstudentsgraduatefromhighschoolandarepreparedforcollegeandcareersisakeystrategyforeconomicgrowth,forourfamiliesandourcities.AccordingtoareportreleasedinJulyfromthePewCharitableTrusts,whichstudiedeconomicmobilityacrossgenerations: •Almosthalf(47%)ofthoseraisedinthebottom20%ofthefamilyincomeladderwhodonotearna collegedegreearestuckthereasadults,comparedwith10%whodoearnacollegedegree. •Havingacollegedegreemakesapersonmorethanthreetimesmorelikelytorisefromthebottomof thefamilyincomeladderallthewaytothetop.
A2011studybytheAllianceforExcellentEducationshowedadirectcorrelationbetweenschoolretentionratesandincreasedtaxrevenueandhumancapital,righthereinDesMoines:
Anestimated1,100studentsdroppedoutfromtheclassof2010.Adding550newhighschoolgraduatesintheDesMoines–WestDesMoinesmetropolitanstatisticalareawouldincreasethegrossregionalproductbyasmuchas$8.9millionbythetimetheyreachtheircareermid-points,andthosestudentswouldspendanesti-mated$13millionmoreonhomepurchasesthantheywouldspendwithoutadiploma.
Whentheproblemisputintotermslike“dropoutcrisis,”“raisingretentionrates,”and“educationreform,”thevolleyofex-pertopinionscanfeeloverwhelming. Fromasystemsstandpoint,educationisacomplexissue.Butfocusinginonthestudent,therearesimplewayseverylocalleadercanbegintodohisorherpart.
•Becomeamentor—theexperiencesgainedbyyouandyourstudentwillbemutuallybeneficial beyondimagination. •Alignwithorganizationsworkingtobringextraresourcestoschools,liketheDesMoines“IHavea Dream”Foundation.Askaboutspecificneeds(backpacks,supplies,computers).
BecauseofmyinvolvementwiththeDesMoines“IHaveaDream”Foundation,Iknowkidswhocometoschoolhungryandwhoseparentshaveahardtimemeetingbasicneeds.Iknowparentswhowanttoseetheirkidssucceed,butdon’thavetheresourcestosendthemtocamp,letalonecollege. Steppinginsideaschoolmakestheseadversecircumstancesmuchlessabstract,andsomethingweallhavethepowertoimpact.
Letter to the editor: “Leverage Leadership to Decrease Dropouts”
Brennan Buckley, Board President, contributed an extended version of this piece to The Des Moines Register “IowaView” on July 16, 2012
Summer/Fall2012|DesMoines“IHAVEADREAM”Foundation|www.desmoinesdreams.org 8 2507 University Ave | Des Moines, IA 50311 | 515-271-1976
IHaveaDreamFoundationc/oDrakeUniversity2507 University AveDes Moines, IA 50311
NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID
DES MOINES, IA PERMIT NO. 2217
Brennan BuckleyBoardPresidentIowaRealty
Andy FrantzBoardVicePresidentPrincipalFinancialGroup
Rebecca MoomeyBoard SecretaryBankersTrust
Jennifer BarpBoard TreasurerKeminIndustries,Inc.
Rick BachKohles&Bach,Inc.
Sara BeringCommunity Volunteer
Mary Tiffany CownieIowaDepartmentofCulturalAffairs
Tom DelahuntDrakeUniversity
Dr. Kari HensenDes Moines Area CommunityCollege
Danielle HermanOPNArchitects
Sean JohnsonAmericanComputerServices
Joan Middleton Sponsor/CommunityVolunteer
Anthony RodariNationwide
Grant TaylorJEDunnConstuction
Board of Directors
Inside:OpportunitiesforYOUtohelpastudentsucceed
The 2018 Dreamers are entereing 7th grade
SpecialthankstothePrincipalFoundationforawardingIHADa$10,000grant
2012 National Dreamer Conference SponsorsPresenting:IowaRealty
Supporting:J.E.DunnConstruction,BankersTrust,Casey’sGeneralStores{
Backers
But they’re bound for college!