Des Moines "I Have a Dream" Foundation Summer/Fall Newsletter 2012

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.


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!


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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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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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.


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


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!

Des Moines "I Have a Dream" Foundation Summer/Fall Newsletter 2012

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Des Moines "I Have a Dream" Foundation Summer/Fall Newsletter 2012