Dream Leaders

“Being a Dream Leader means you will go out of your way to help others in need, to help others who without you would be left alone to deal with their problems, to look at the world with open eyes and open hands, to inspire millions of people who are pushed aside, abused, and neglected because of their race, social class, and disabilities, to inspire a world unlike any other- a world more like a dream.”

~ George Lopez, Senior, Morgan Park High School

Click here to join the Dream Leaders mailing list in Chicago and be the first to know about upcoming events and opportunities!

Dream Leaders provides the most at-risk youth in every community, those who live in severe poverty and those with disabilities, the opportunity to help others who are less fortunate.

It is a program hailed as, “revolutionary,” “brilliant,” “stunning,” “breathtakingly innovative,” and “world changing,” by scholars and world leaders such as the delegates to the KIN Global Summit. The Kellogg Innovation Network of Northwestern University recently honored Dreams for Kids as its Innovative Nonprofit of 2010.

This is a program which engages youth whose voices have been silent and whose contributions can change the world. No longer a forgotten and invisible segment of society, youth from every background have become an unstoppable force of generosity and goodwill. They are empowered and are now the face of social change.

The Dream Leaders program unites at risk-youth to their diverse peers in a leadership curriculum which provides the tools and access to being the solution to the world’s critical sector issues, and to becoming active members of their own communities.


Dream Leaders teaches middle school and high school students how they can use their struggles as motivation to help others.  Dream Leaders gives teenagers the tools to see their challenges such as living in poverty, having a disability, facing discrimination, losing a loved one, or whatever else life has happened in their lives, not as a limitation, but as a guiding force in their journey to make positive change in the world.

In addition to supporting teens to help others, Dream Leaders also focuses on breaking down stereotypes and social barriers.  By bringing teens together from every race, background, ability, and religion, we are creating a space where discrimination is replaced by the celebration of our common humanity.

Through our Dream Leaders Conferences, Dream Leaders Facilitators lead teenagers through an action-packed day of leadership training, global issue awareness, and Take Action skill building.  Through this dynamic program, we help students create collaborative projects which serve both their local and global communities.


Here are just some of the benefits of Dream Leaders:

  • Improves self-esteem and self-efficacy
  • Enhances leadership skills
  • Breaks down barriers between youth and parents of different race, socio-economic backgrounds, ability, religion, and gender
  • Engages teenagers and their parents in ongoing community service opportunities
  • Educates teenagers on social issues affecting their local and global communities (including the Millennium Development Goals)
To become part of this amazing movement and meet others who care about giving back to the world, click here to join our Dream Leaders mailing list in Chicago.   Once on the mailing list, you will receive regular updates about upcoming events and opportunities.
To download Dream Leaders information click here.  You can also review our Dream Leaders Tracking & Evaluation packet or look at some of the materials we created around global issues.
Teacher and school administrators, enroll your school today!
Contact Abby Kritzler, Dream Leaders Director at abby@dreamsforkids.org with any questions.