Dreams For Kids

Waves of Memories

kgerson — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:15:10 +0000

‘The adaptive water sports day is the most anticipated event of the year for many of our Extreme Recess participants’ was what I always heard. Since starting at Dreams for Kids, I always heard about ‘what a memorable day it was’ and ‘how the smiles on the children’s faces after going waterskiing for the first [...]

Meet Our Newest Intern!

kgerson — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:26:41 +0000

Title: Grant Coordinator Childhood Dream: To be on Jeopardy What is your personal description of the mission of Dreams for Kids? The Dreams for Kids mission means to empower youth, and let them know that their circumstances do not define who they are. Why did you decide to intern for Dreams for Kids? I wanted [...]

Independence Day

DreamsforKids — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 03:10:42 +0000

The United States recently celebrated Independence Day, in honor of the Declaration of Independence, which officially declared our countries independence from Great Britain. Of course, we have since become great allies. It begs the question – isn’t this what we all strive for? Independence, our freedom to be who we are is what allows us to truly come alive.

Why Wouldn’t I be Happy?

DreamsforKids — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:31:00 +0000

Quincy lives in the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education, (ICRE), a state facility for young people with physical and or developmental challenges. Quincy was born with cerebral palsy.

I love Quincy’s infectious enthusiasm and the way he just puts his head back and yells, “Yeah!” He doesn’t need a reason to do it, He just does it. He is happy. He loves life. He loves people.

The heroes of our city- Chicago Blackhawks and the Dream Leaders

DreamsforKids — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:32:39 +0000

My dad has had been a Blackhawks season ticket holder since long before I was born, so I was raised with an ingrained appreciation for the team and sport. It wasn’t until the Blackhawks became the top sponsor of Dreams for Kids last summer, though, that my respect for the organization reached an entire new level. The amount of resources the Chicago Blackhawks have given to Dreams for Kids and their other charities is truly amazing. I’ve had the great honor of working with their front office throughout the year, and can say with confidence that they demonstrate jus

Spring Rebirth

DreamsforKids — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:29:55 +0000

We spent Easter Saturday with Clara at Clara's House Shelter. Whatever your religious belief, Spring is a time of rebirth. Spring is a time to begin anew. It is a time of Hope. Whenever we begin again, we do so with the hope of infinite possibilities. However, we should never forget where we began. Remembering where it all began is a reminder to be grateful and it is a time to reflect.

Who is waiting for you?

DreamsforKids — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:19:38 +0000

Cortez is one of our most active Dream Leaders, yet his life wasn’t always about helping others. Being born 1 lb 7 ounces due to drug abuse by his parents, Cortez has lived his entire life fighting. Drugs, violence, and incarceration have been a constant in his family. As a result, Cortez was a self-proclaimed “bad kid,” so much so that he got expelled from school.

“Dreams are Made if People Try”

DreamsforKids — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 22:33:34 +0000

As we begin the Winter Olympics in Canada, my thoughts are on Vancouver native Terry Fox. Since 1982, I have had a photo of Terry on my desk. It is a small photo that I clipped from a magazine. He is running. It is the most inspiring photo I have even seen. Terry Fox was young athlete in 1976, a lot like most high school athletes around the world, �just a very ordinary kid�, according to this mother Bette.

Are you the Dream Leader type?

DreamsforKids — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:17:30 +0000

The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important.-Martin Luther King Jr.

Do your friends look like you?

DreamsforKids — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:06:18 +0000

Today, I was talking to one of the Dream Leaders who graduated high school and is now attending University of Illinois. He's making great grades, and he seems to be really happy, but I was troubled when he told me that he sees "the racism that people warned me about." I thought college was supposed to be the time that everyone breaks away from their sheltered childhood to learn from people different then they are. When I asked him to explain what he meant, he went on to tell me a number of stories about feeling like the white students in his dorm would