DREAM

Today, DREAM families, staff, and community leaders gathered at our Mott Haven campus for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of DREAM’s new Early Childhood Education program. Made possible by a five-year, $28 million Head Start grant, the program will serve 230 infants, toddlers, and preschoolers annually—extending DREAM’s support from birth through early adulthood and creating the Bronx’s first birth-to-career education pipeline. Thank you to Bronx Borough President Hon. Vanessa L. Gibson, MPA (She, Her, Hers, Ella) and New York City Council Member Elsie Encarnacion for joining us in this occasion. Both spoke powerfully about why this investment matters: Borough President Gibson emphasized bringing quality early learning closer to home, while Council Member Encarnacion highlighted the difficult choices parents face when safe, affordable child care is out of reach. Some of our youngest DREAMers from 4K also joined the ceremony and brought plenty of joy to the celebration! And a special thank-you to the DREAM families who joined us. Their trust and partnership are at the heart of this work—and we’re grateful to every staff member and partner who helped make this moment possible. 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝟭𝟮 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲: https://lnkd.in/gwukR-di

For more than 20 years, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation has partnered with DREAM to give elementary students meaningful opportunities to learn new skills and thrive in their social surroundings. This partnership dates back to our Harlem RBI days and has grown alongside DREAM, helping strengthen our baseball and softball programming. Through REAL Kids—DREAM’s five-week summer program—K–5 students across our campuses participate in learning, enrichment, sports, social-emotional development, and wellness activities. With its latest grant, the Foundation has doubled its investment in DREAM, providing even greater support for students during the summer. We are deeply grateful to the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation for its continued investment in creating joyful, enriching opportunities for DREAM students and for two decades of partnership.

In a new op-ed for amNewYork, DREAM Chief Education Officer Crystal Lane, Ed.D. Lane joins Lavinia Mackall of Achievement First and Tahiri J. of Ascend to respond to Nikole Hannah-Jones’ recent NYT piece on the difficult choices families face in New York City’s school system. Together, they make the case for a third path—and for the unique role public charter schools can play in partnering across sectors, sharing what works, and expanding access to an excellent public education. Read the op-ed here: https://lnkd.in/g5R_6-JC

We’re excited to join Cohort 3 of the EDSAFE AI Alliance’s District Policy Labs! Through this initiative, we’ll help shape practical, responsible approaches to using AI in education—ones that protect student data, support educators, and strengthen learning experiences for all students. We’re grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important work alongside districts and education leaders across the country. #EDSAFEAI #AIinEducation #K12 #EducationPolicy

For Jennifer B., people-centered work is rooted in a simple belief: when adults feel supported, students and communities benefit, too. As DREAM’s Director of Employee Relations, she partners with leaders and staff to foster a culture grounded in fairness, trust, respect, and open communication. Jen’s career has taken her across industries and countries. While studying industrial  engineering in the Dominican Republic, she worked for nearly three years as a shadow teacher supporting a student with autism which she describes as one of the most rewarding experiences of her career. Before joining DREAM, Jen spent about 14 years in business process outsourcing, primarily in human resources leadership roles supporting service centers across Latin America, the Caribbean and South Africa. She especially valued cross-cultural collaboration and the opportunity to help create jobs in communities with limited economic opportunities. Seven years ago, Jen moved to New York City and joined DREAM, returning to education in a new capacity. “DREAM is an organization with a big heart,” she says. “Everyone is passionate about our students, changing the status quo, improving people’s lives, and strengthening the community.” DREAM’s purpose, she adds, continues to inspire her every day. In her role, Jen helps leaders navigate staff situations thoughtfully and build strong team cultures. “People need to feel heard and respected, and fairness needs to be promoted,” she explains. She also hopes to strengthen DREAM’s performance management programs and use staff feedback to guide meaningful change. “Feedback is the guide for me.” Jen’s Latinx heritage has shaped her family-centered approach to leadership. She learned to treat others like family, lead with respect, and recognize that differences make communities stronger. In her own family, every holiday is a celebration—and as the oldest of three siblings, she’s often the person everyone looks to for guidance. Her siblings even call her their “sensei.” Outside of work, Jen loves to read and is currently alternating between Quiet Leadership by David Rock and Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst.

Nearly 2,000 people celebrated with us at Vecinos on a beautiful sunny afternoon! It was a day filled with laughter, music, and connection from the first drumbeat to the last dance step. Families and neighbors came together for music, dancing, food, games, and connection. The East Harlem Choir and Mott Haven Elementary Dance Team lit up the stage, DREAM parent DJ Spynfo kept the party moving, and Eddie Montalvo y Amigos had every generation on its feet. 🎶 To every performer, vendor, partner, and neighbor who showed up: thank you. This is what the DREAM community looks like: vibrant, joyful, and utterly unstoppable. Until next time, Vecinos!

𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞. DREAM is inviting organizations to partner with our Project-Based Learning initiative, helping students in grades K-10 connect what they learn in the classroom to meaningful work in the world around them. DREAM students will explore topics ranging from storytelling and environmental challenges to entrepreneurship, technology, and architecture. Through hands-on projects—including story exhibits, pop-ups, and proposals for reimagining New York spaces—partners can lead workshops, demonstrations, or design challenges connected to students’ work. All projects will be showcased between December 7-9, 2026. If your organization is excited about sharing its expertise with young people, we’d love to hear from you. Email our PBL Partnerships team at pblpartnerships@wearedream.org by 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 to learn more and explore a project that connects with your organization’s work.

Meet Cynethia Lancaster, a DREAM alumna from the Class of 2022. Cynethia’s experience at DREAM helped shape both her academic and career path. During her senior year, one of DREAM’s mental health providers gave her the support and space she needed to navigate a difficult social and emotional season—an experience that inspired Cynethia to pursue a career in social work. Cynethia recently graduated magna cum laude from the University at Albany with a Bachelor of Science in Social Welfare and minors in Africana Studies and Psychology. This summer, she returned to DREAM as an intern, supporting the network’s afterschool program. The internship helped her build confidence, reconnect with the organization, and prepare for her next role. During her internship, Cynethia worked alongside DREAM’s mental health providers, to support social-emotional learning for middle schoolers. She learned to conduct baseline assessments, build developmental relationships with students, and strengthen skills in communication, administrative planning, and research. Cynethia now serves as the Social-Emotional Learning Specialist at DREAM Charter High School, supporting students as they develop the skills, confidence, and knowledge to succeed in school and beyond. For Cynethia, returning to DREAM reflects the lasting connection between Legends and the community that raised them. As she puts it, “I always felt like my connection to DREAM remained strong, even through college.” Today, Cynethia is providing students with the same kind of support that once helped her—while building the next chapter of her alumni journey in service of the DREAM community.

📢 We're Hiring a Middle School Volleyball Coach Help DREAM student-athletes build confidence, leadership, teamwork, and school spirit. If you're passionate about coaching, mentoring young people, and creating a positive team culture, we'd love to have you join our Athletics team. 📍 Mott Haven | Part-time, Seasonal (Fall/Winter 2026–2027) 📅 Starts September 2026 🔗Apply today: Mott Haven Volleyball Head Coach: https://lnkd.in/ge7i-zXE

Family visits have been a proud DREAM tradition for 15 years. Each summer, DREAM sets aside two days for Family Visits. Educators connect with families before the first day of school, who in turn share their hopes for their children and what additional support they might need. The result is a stronger start for everyone: students enter knowing they are seen, families feel welcomed as partners, and educators have the context to support each child more intentionally. Families and educators then draw on the trust they built during the visits all throughout the school year. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gS_Q42Qt