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In late July, Mr. Tracy had a vision to collect 500 pairs of shoes for DREAAM's Back to School Drive in honor of his 50th birthday---a goal that seemed near impossible. But our community and supporters from all over the nation stepped up and far exceeded that goal!! On August 13th, DREAAM was able to supply more than 600 pairs of shoes to the youth in our community!!! We are humbled and in awe! We are so incredibly grateful for the support of our donors and our community. We're pretty certain this was a birthday celebration Mr. Tracy won't soon forget!! P.S. It's not too late to celebrate Mr. Tracy by making a gift to DREAAM here.

We love Destin's story, and we just had to share it with you! Destin Lembelembe started working for DREAAM about a year and a half ago, in February of 2021. Last fall, he took part in DREAAM's 5-10-15-20 Program, which included 5 eligible participants who participated in a 10-week program and received 15 hours of life skill training per week and were assigned with life coaches to help them along the way. In addition, 20 hours per week were reserved for employment or volunteering services that would eventually work towards employment. [Participants then decided to pursue further education including completing a GED, applying for college, trade school, or obtaining a full-time job. The aim was to promote personal and professional development. Life skills included finance literacy, mental health, physical health, nutrition, preparing for job search, job application process, resume writing, mock interviews, communication skills, etc.] Destin is always wanting to help others and has grown so much as a person, an employee, and a DREAAMer. He has been an integral part of our team. We look forward to seeing this young gentleman make strides here in Champaign County and beyond! He's well on his way! Read more about Destin in our interview below. Please tell us about you! Where are you from? How long have you lived here in Champaign? I am from Africa–The Democratic Republic of the Congo. I have been living in Champaign-Urbana for about 7 years now. What's your favorite food? Fufu and chicken Please explain your experience with DREAAM. How did you learn about DREAAM? I learned about DREAAM through my church, First Presbyterian - Champaign. And that’s the only way I learned about DREAAM. Mr. Tracy Dace spoked about DREAAM during a Sunday service. Once I heard about it, I was interested and I wanted to be a part of it but I couldn’t because I did not know if they wanted younger employees. But one day I was looking for a job and I remembered Mr. Tracy. After visiting with him, he offered me a position with DREAAM; I got so excited and I immediately accepted the offer and have been with DREAAM ever since. I stuck with it. DREAAM–it’s an organization that builds you up as a young man, all the way up to an adult. I am forever grateful. Awhile after I started working with DREAAM, I heard about this 5-10-15-20 program. I took the class. The class taught me about money management, bills wise, banking, eating healthier, how to be a successful young man living on my own, etc… I learned so much and am so grateful. What has been your favorite experience with DREAAM? My favorite part about DREAAM is that we are all family. We strive to help the youth and we are not ashamed to share our personal problems, feelings. Because when we do so, there’s always a solution on the situation or the problem. We're all there for each other. Where are you working now and how did you get there? I am still with DREAAM through the month of July. I have a life coach who has been keeping me going and has motivated me not to give up fast. Thanks to DREAAM and all I've learned, I will be moving on to be a teacher at Bradley Learning Center, an Early Childhood Education Center, in Urbana.

The Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Association of Champaign-Urbana's 52nd Annual Flower Sale starts tomorrow!!! We are so grateful that, for the second year in a row, the sale will be benefiting DREAAM!!! [Thank you, CU KKGs!] Get your flowers tomorrow, Friday, May 13th from 9am to 5pm or Saturday, May 14th from 9am to noon at Indian Acres (1 Arrow Road) in Champaign. Some of our DREAAMers will be there tomorrow afternoon and on Saturday to help assist customers! [NOTE: Please remember to bring either cash or checks, as credit and debit will not be accepted.] There is a wide array of planting flowers and herbs to choose from, as well as hanging baskets, patio gardens, and more! All the plants come from Ropps, a local nursery from in Mahomet and Gibson City. The plants are incredibly beautiful and healthy and long lasting! So, make sure to grab some for yourself this weekend! Hope to see you there!

Board of Directors Brett Anderson Board Member and Finance Committee CPA Financial Advisor, Portfolio Manager Cozad A sset Management Brett Anderson is a financial advisor and portfolio manager at Cozad Asset Management, where he helps individuals and businesses with financial planning, investing, tax preparation, and more. He is an alumnus of the University of Illinois as well as Lincoln Christian University Seminary, where he completed a Master of Divinity program. In addition to his financial advisory practice, Brett enjoys serving local churches through a variety of volunteer ministry opportunities and serves on the finance committee for several non-profit organizations, including DREAAM. Joe Bradley Treasurer and Chair of Finance Committee Clinical Assistant Professor | Bioengineering Teaching Assistant Professor | Carle Illinois Medical School Lecturer at Gies College of Business | University of Illinois Joe teaches courses in engineering and business at the University of Illinois. His research focuses on product development-how information is used and managed within complex-product development systems. He builds quantitative and qualitative models to study these systems. He is a co-founder of Sun Buckets, Inc, a global company that develops, builds, and commercializes thermal energy storage technologies. Margareth Etienne Board Member Professor of Law and Nancy Snowden Research Scholar | University of Illinois Associate Dean for Graduate and International Programs | University of Illinois Margareth teaches Children and the Law and Education Law and publishes widely. A s a mother of two, her interests in education at all levels are both personal and professional. She has directed a tutoring program for middle school students, been a high school teacher, served on several school boards, and was a Trustee on the College Board. Alfred Green Chair of Human Resources Committee US Navy Veteran | Navy Achievement Medal - Desert Shield/Desert Storm Product Owner at Ford Motor Company | Consumer Driven Six Sigma Black Belt ​ Alfred Green is an accomplished Senior Engineer, Entrepreneur, Consultant, Advisor, and Thought Leader with more than 30 years of success across the military, manufacturing, automotive, computer software, and the information services and technology industries. Alfred holds a leadership position as the Product Owner in Software Feature Management for Ford Motor Company where he is responsible for cultivating user community and increasing Vehicle Software Electrical Management (VSEM) adoption to deliver the promise of Ford Mobility efforts. Prior to his current role as, Product Owner at Ford Motor Company, Alfred led as the Exterior Ornamentation Quality Vehicle Function Group Leader for Ford Motor Company. Alfred also served Eight years in the US Navy and is a veteran honorably discharged. For his exceptional leadership, he received the Navy Achievement Medal - Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He has also patented the following products: LIDAR Windscreen Vibration Control System for Detecting Windshield Wiper Noise and Related Methods, and Humidity Estimation device. In his spare time, Alfred is an avid martial arts practitioner, achieving a 4th Dan black belt in the World Traditional Tang Soo Do Federation. The Brooklyn, New York native is a husband and father of two children. Deloris Henry Vice President and Chair of Governance Committee Retired Assistant Superintendent Champaign Unit 4 School District Deloris P. Henry is a former Assistant Superintendent of schools. She has devoted her life to equity in education, social justice, and community advocacy work. Dr. Henry has served on the Board of several community organizations, such as the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club (President), Girl Scouts Council, the Champaign County Mental Health Board (President for two terms), and is a member of the Champaign Rotary Club. Robert Kirby Secretary Retired Physician and Medical Educator Robert Kirby is a retired Carle physician and University of Illinois College of Medicine educator. He served as Clinical Professor of Medicine and Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs. Since retirement, he has been engaged as a volunteer working with the immigrant community. Matt Matthews President and Chair of Development Committee Senior Pastor | First Presbyterian Church, Champaign A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Matt has served as pastor of First Presbyterian since 2018. Matt works with an energetic congregation to make First Presbyterian a sanctuary for all people to gather to worship, study, dream, work for justice, sing, and build friendships that will heal the world. Matt and Rachel have two grown sons and one in college. He has served churches in South Carolina, Virginia, and Arkansas, and has written Mercy Creek , a novel, and the memoir One Thousand Miles: Following My Fathers WWII Footsteps. Demario Turner Board Member Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Specialist | Carle Health Demario Turner assists Carle's Human Resources and Volunteer Services with all aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as on-boarding contingent labor that includes students in their clinical, observational, and internship roles, contractors, and temporary workers. He is native to the Champaign-Urbana area and has a strong passion for both civic engagement and the growth and development in the human resources profession. Mr. Turner also served on the Champaign County Racial Justice Task Force and is a United Way Emerging Community Leader. Azark David Cobbs Board Member Azark Cobbs was born and raised in Champaign, and is currently a resident of Garden Hills. He is retired from a career at DHL Airway Inc. and Chicago Manufacturing Institute. He has served the community as a member of the Unit 4 Education Equity Excellence Committee, Prairie Rivers Network, Promise Healthcare, North First Street Business Club, and 5th and Hill Neighborhood Rights Group.

Podcast Brianna & Madison Hosting Inspiring Women

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