Dream Academy Foundation continues to give back to the community
Dominique Bryant founded Dream Academy Foundation in 2018 and hosted her first Holiday Party and Toy Giveaway in 2019. PHOTO PROVIDED
BY DOMINIQUE BRYANT.
Dominique Bryant founded Dream Academy Foundation five years ago because she wanted to provide a solution to some of the issues that young people were facing. She wanted to give back to the next generation.
Bryant comes from a large family and she believes it takes a village to raise a child. In developing Dream Academy Foundation, she thought about all the things she does for her nieces and nephews and how she shows up for them.
In 2019, Dream Academy Foundation hosted its first Holiday Party and Toy Giveaway. This year, the 5th Annual Holiday Toy Giveaway will take place on Saturday, Dec. 16th, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Oak Brook Illinois.
Dream Academy Foundation takes a holistic approach to its “dreamers.” The young people are taught about life skills, public speaking and goal setting. The co-ed organization services young people ages 10 years old to 24 years old.
“Part of our motto is we empower youth to Dream It, Believe It and Achieve It. So, all of our youth understand how to set a goal and reach it,” Bryant said.
Since Dream Academy Foundation began in 2018, it has impacted more than 4,000 young people. Dream Academy Foundation provides development and mentoring for young people from the ages of 10 years old to 18 years old. For young people 16 years old to 24 years old, there is a career readiness internship and apprenticeship program. There also are social engagement projects. The organization also holds afterschool and Saturday program as part of its mentorship program.
Six students attended the most recent 10-day trip to Ghana which was a cultural, educational and social engagement trip. During the trip, the students partnered with a school for the deaf and blind where they donated sporting equipment and planted trees.
The students in the career readiness internship and apprenticeship program learn end-to-end nonprofits, event planning, sponsorships and partnerships. They also learn how to network and connect and understand their purpose and they create their personal brand, with an elevator pitch. The internship program is a partnership with Trellus and runs from September to May. With the students in the development and mentoring program, there is a focus on identity and purpose.
Bryant loves serving and loves giving. The winter months are her favorite time of the year. She was doing holiday parties and giving with her job. She wanted to give back to her community where she grew up in Bellwood. The first toy giveaway took place in Maywood-Bellwood and more than 150 young people were impacted.
Bryant is expecting more than 1,000 people to attend this year’s event. There will be more than 100 volunteers for the event. There is a waitlist for the event. She is currently looking for donations and volunteers. This is the second year the Doubletree Hotel in Oak Brook, Illinois has been a participating partner. Children get to pick out their own toys and the hope is they will also get a diverse book. There will be vendors, games and entertainment for the children and their families.
For more information about Dream Academy Foundation, visit www.dreamafoundation.org.
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