Program Overview

The “I Have a Dream” Foundation of San Francisco is a long term educational support and enrichment program that has provided academic tutoring, parent involvement, college access programming, social and emotional support, leadership development, enrichment activities, case management and advocacy to a group of 62 underserved students and their families in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2000. The goal of IHAD-SF is to ensure that each "Dreamer" is able to become a successful individual and reach his or her potential in school and in the community. By providing access to resources and opportunities, mentoring and college tuition assistance, the IHAD-SF program has empowered the Dreamers to set ambitious goals for themselves and develop the skills and confidence to achieve these goals.

We are currently beginning our twelfth year of programming and many of our “Dreamers” are enrolled in either their first or their second year of college. At the end of July, 2011 50 of 62 Dreamers’ have completed high school and 43 of these young adults are enrolled in a 2 or 4-year college, or vocational program.

Program Timeline:

1999 A team of friends (Scott Parlee, Carter Montague, Tanya Capuano, and Khira Griscavage) founded “I Have a Dream” – San Francisco, selected a partner school in San Francisco’s Mission District, and wrote a successful grant proposal to cover 14 years of operational funding plus end- of-program college tuition assistance for each of the Dreamers

2000 After receiving a generous, long term grant from the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, the IHAD-SF Board hired Project Director Abby Rovner and kicked off the new program with 59 3rd Graders at Marshall Elementary School and a wonderful after school partnership with St. John’s tutoring Center.

2003 The Dreamers graduated from 5th Grade and transitioned to over 17 public, parochial and private middle schools in San Francisco and the surrounding areas. IHAD moved to the new Aim High Academy, where half of the Dreamers began their 6th Grade year.

2005 Eleven additional 7th Grade youth from Aim High Academy joined the IHAD program, bringing the total number of San Francisco Dreamers to 70

2006 The Dreamers celebrated their graduation from middle school and, after an extensive high school search and application process, transitioned to over 25 public, charter, faith-based, and private high schools throughout the Bay Area. At the same time, IHAD moved its office to Gateway High School, where 12 of the Dreamers began their 9th Grade year.

2008/2009 The IHAD Staff, Dreamers and parents researched colleges, learned about the college application process, and toured around California visiting schools

2009/10 The Dreamers completed the long, arduous, exciting college application and selection process. In the Spring, 41 of 62 Dreamers graduated from high school and the entire IHAD community celebrated the end of the program with a boat cruise on the SF Bay and a wonderful ceremony and party at Lick Wilmerding High School.

2010/11 35 Dreamers completed their first year of college or vocational school, while nine additional youth finished their high school degrees and charted their next steps for the future.

2011/12 43 Dreamers currently attend 23 public, private, 2- and 4-year colleges and vocational schools (mostly in California), with tuition assistance provided by IHAD and continued outreach, coaching and support by Project Director Abby Rovner

Graduation and College Going Rates

In addition to the 41 Dreamers who graduated on time in the Spring of 2010, during the course of the 2010/11 school year, nine additional Dreamers earned their high school diploma. As of July 2011, 50 of 62 Dreamers have completed their high school education and 35 of these have completed their first year of college.

• The number of IHAD-SF High School Graduates (50 of 62) represents 80% of the total number of IHAD-SF Dreamers.

• 43 Dreamers (86% of IHAD-SF’s high school graduates) are enrolled in a four-year university, a two-year community college or a vocational program for Fall, 2011.

• 21 Dreamers (42% of IHAD-SF’s high school graduates) are attending a four-year college or university (5 Private & 16 Public) this coming Fall. Of these students, one is entering her Freshman year, and 20 are entering their Sophomore year.

• 22 Dreamers (44% of IHAD-SF’s high school graduates) are enrolled in a community college or vocational program this coming Fall. Of these students, 7 are entering their first year, and 15 are entering their second year.

Colleges where Dreamers are Attending as of July, 2011

This coming year, we plan to continue providing tuition assistance, support and programming as each of the Dreamers continues to grow, takes responsibility for his/her education and life, and makes increasingly adult decisions about his/her direction and future.

We are extremely proud of all that the Dreamers have learned and accomplished thus far and continue to be amazed and inspired by this remarkable group of young adults. Their presence and involvement enrich their families, their neighborhoods, and the college campuses where they study. We see many fruits of IHAD’s past decade in the Dreamers’ commitment to their educational goals; their passion, curiosity, and leadership; the sense of community amongst them, the pride they demonstrate in who they are and where they come from and the vibrant hope they each embody for what the future holds.

Current IHAD-SF Programming to Support the Dreamers’ Transition to College Includes:

The College Retention Support Program is designed to ensure that the Dreamers feel connected, develop independent living and study skills, overcome challenges, leverage on-campus resources, and stay on track to complete their college degree or certificate:

• Coaching- Academic, personal, and financial aid

• Yearly retreat and reunion activities

• Monitoring of grades and progress

• Outreach to and collaboration with campus organizations designed to support first generation youth in college

• Referrals for summer jobs and internships

• Ongoing communication through Facebook and quarterly newsletters

The Financial Support Program allows Dreamers to obtain educational opportunities otherwise not available to them, including:

• Financial aid for educational expenses such as books, transportation, study abroad, and summer coursework

• Merit based scholarships for outstanding college academic work

• College Tuition Assistance: A promise of up to $10,000 on a last dollar basis for post-secondary education for each Dreamer 

First Year of College: What the Dreamers are Saying

“I have met new people and I’m staying focused even though I am having fun.” (Guillean, Sacramento State)

“I am actually starting to love to write essays.” (Sydni, Sonoma State)

“I am working harder than I ever have before!” (Tiffani, CSU East Bay)

“I have worked so hard to get here and I can’t believe I made it!” (Sonia, St. Mary’s)

“I am way more responsible than I was in high school.” (Erick, SFSU)

“I am proud of waking up on time for all of my 8 a.m. classes and doing my homework on time so far.” (Mireya, Sonoma State)

“I made it to college! I am also proud that I want to get up every day and go to class.” (Samantha, Cal State East Bay)

“I’m finally doing things that represent me.” (Andre, Notre Dame du Namur)

“I get all my work done and I try my best on every assignment.” (Yeni, Chico State)

“I feel I can handle the workload and I have good relationships with all of my professors.” (Michelle, Heald College)

In the Dreamers' Words…

“Being in college is very different from being in high school. Nobody is there to make your food, wake you up or even tell you to do laundry. It all depends on when YOU want to do it. One thing I am most excited about is living in the dorm next year with people I am comfortable with. Overall, college has taught me to go for my dreams, get involved and stay focused. It’s been great so far and I’m loving every minute of it!”

– Joyce, after her first semester at Sonoma State University

“Deep into my studies for summer school, I was looking forward to the IHAD retreat. A year of college behind us, seeing each other again felt awkward at first because we have not seen each other for a long time. The first day of our retreat was a day filled with presentations about how to have a positive mindset in school, how to manage a budget and invest in our education, and time management. The last two days we were in the Marin Headlands, the same place we went when we were little with the IHAD program and Marshall School. For a day and a half, we focused on the experience of our first year in college and on setting goals for the future. My favorite parts of the retreat were the meditation with Nestor Perez and how my friends and I grew closer by sharing our life stories and experiences. Out of all of the IHAD events that I have gone to, this retreat was special to me for many reasons. I learned so much from my friends’ stories and really appreciated the chance to reconnect with the long-term relationships I have with the other Dreamers. The retreat was a perfect time for me to reflect and focus on my goals to do well in college and beyond. I took what I learned from the retreat and I am very excited to make changes in my life and work toward my goals with more energy and focus.”

– Sonia, now entering her second year at St. Mary’s College