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Tutoring Dreamers
Many area residents may have heard of the “I Have a Dream Foundation”, which finds a donor (or group donor) to adopt a class of second or third grade children. The Foundation and the donor promise that when the students complete high school, they will be given the funding to attend college. As of this writing, Longmont has three classes that have been adopted….one is ready to graduate from high school this year, one is currently in their sophomore year, and the third is a group of sixth graders.
Among others, Longmont ’s Kathy deMatteo, who runs The Tutoring Club, has been intensely involved in the Foundation’s work. It has always been an organization that is close to her heart, because of the powerful effect it has on children. The adopted classes are chosen with the help of the local school District, which identifies a class that is in most need of this type of help. The assistance that is offered includes paying for sports, tutoring, music lessons and other activities that the family may not be able to afford, plus mentoring, as well as financial assistance once the students reach college level. The total cost of adopting a second or third grade class, through college, is generally about $200,000.
Longmont ’s Tutoring Club, is providing assistance with the academic challenges that the Dreamers face. Specifically, they are providing tutoring sessions in higher end math classes such as geometry for some of the students. DeMatteo said “I’ve wanted to help with some of the Dreamers for some time now, and this year we are providing tutoring for four high school Dreamers, at no cost to them.”
The first Dreamers were a third grade class from New York , who were guaranteed that if they graduated from high school, their college costs would be covered. The original donor mentored the entire class through high school, and each of them went on to community college at no cost to them. The Foundation has evolved into a national organization; donors become part of their adopted class and make a huge difference in their lives, offering mentoring and other support during their elementary, high school and college years.
Longmont currently has three classes of Dreamers that have been adopted, from middle school through high school. Donors are always welcome, and there may be many other ways to offer support to this incredible program.
For more information, contact Lori Canova, the Foundation’s Coordinator for Boulder County . Canova can be reached at 303/444-3636. |
