Cunningham Children's Home and DREAAM Announce Community Partnership
- Jul 23
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cunningham Children's Home and DREAAM Announce Community Partnership
Urbana, Illinois (July 23, 2026) — Cunningham Children's Home is pleased to announce the signing of a partnership agreement with DREAAM (Driven to Reach Excellence and Academic Achievement for Males), creating a new community partnership that will expand opportunities for children, youth and families throughout Champaign, Urbana and Rantoul.
Under the agreement, the partnership transforms underutilized assets at Cunningham’s location in north Urbana into spaces that allow DREAAM to use them for learning, recreation, connection and growth. The arrangement allows Cunningham to be a thoughtful steward of its resources while creating new opportunities for youth development, wellness, academic achievement and family support.
This strategic collaboration is a facility lease and community partnership—not a merger, acquisition, or organizational consolidation. Both Cunningham Children's Home and DREAAM will continue to operate as separate, independent nonprofit organizations, each maintaining its own leadership, governance, programs, mission and 501(c)(3) status. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to serving children and families while preserving the unique identity and expertise of each agency.
DREAAM is a community impact organization dedicated to advancing achievement, engagement, health, and mentorship for youth and their parents. Cunningham is proud to enter this partnership because it reflects the organization's longstanding commitment to stewardship, collaboration, innovation and service. “The DREAAM family is excited to join the Cunningham campus as partners in increasing life opportunities for children, young adults, and parents,” said Tracy D. Dace, DREAAM Founder and Chief Executive Officer.
The collaboration also reinforces Cunningham's role as a trusted and engaged community partner, demonstrating how organizations can work together to address community needs through shared purpose and strategic partnerships. By aligning around common goals, Cunningham and DREAAM are creating additional pathways for children and families to access the support, encouragement, and opportunities they need to thrive. “The challenges facing our communities today are too great for any one organization to address alone. Partnerships like this create opportunities that strengthen youth, support families and expand our collective impact,” adds Marlin Livingston, Cunningham Children’s Home President/CEO.
About Cunningham Children's Home
For more than 130 years, Cunningham Children's Home has been a trusted resource for children, youth and families, offering a continuum of care that includes residential treatment, special education, and community-based programs. Through compassionate care and innovative solutions, Cunningham helps children thrive and families flourish.
About DREAAM
Since 2015, DREAAM is a Champaign-Urbana-based community impact organization focused on advancing academic achievement, mentorship, engagement, and health for young people and their parents. Through enrichment programs mentoring, and community partnerships, DREAAM works to help participants ages 3 to 24 and parents reach their full potential and to increase their life opportunities.
Media Contacts:
Ginger Mills Kathy Garrison
Director of Advancement Chief Impact Officer
Cunningham Children's Home DREAAM
(217) 337-9074 (217) 898-7616
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