End-of-Year Bash

The 2011-2012 school year is finally finished! On June 1 2012, I Have A Dream had its annual End-of-Year Bash! It was a simple evening over food and music to express gratitude to all of our supporters and community partners! A special THANK YOU to: The Children's Trust, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, IHAD Advisory Committee, Take Stock In Children, Principals, Teachers, Tutors, & Mentors who have helped to make 2011-2012 another successful year for IHAD! Most importantly, THANK YOU Dreamers for your hard work and flexibility...without you there wouldn't be a program. ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!!!

Day at the Historical Virginia Key Beach

The 2011-2012 school year is quickly drawing to a close and the Dreamers went on their last field trip for the school year to Virginia Key Beach (VKB). VKB is the first keys of the Florida Keys, but was originally attached to Miami Beach until a natural disaster caused it to separate in 1830. VKB was orginally inhabited by Native Americans, but as more African-Americans began to migrate further South , many looked for beaches to attend, especially on hot summer days. But due to the segregation laws at the time, African-Americans and minorities were banned from the White beaches. After a few protests and wade-ins, VKB was officially designated the "Negro" beach in 1945.

Across the street from VKB, is Crandon Park, which was known as the White-only beach. VKB had stronger currents, a small pond, concession stand, and mini carousel and train rides, while Crandon Park had calmer waters, a petting zoo, and elaborate train and carousel rides. Nevertheless, African-Americans made VKB their own! In 1945, the only way in and out of VKB was by ferryboats. In the 1960s, due the Civil Rights Movement, segregation became illegal and VKB was open to everyone. In the 1980s, VKB was closed down due to a lack of city funding, but was finally declared a historical site in 2008. Today, VKB is open to the public!

Sunday Afternoon of Music

On Sunday March 25, 2012  the Dreamers were invited to the University of Miami to enjoy the musical talents of Russian pianist Kirill Gerstein.  Gerstein performed classical and jazz renditions of: Bach, Busoni, Knussen, Weber, Schumann, and Schubert.  The Dreamers listened attentively and were exposed to some of the historic melodies that have inspired many muscians both past and present.  Special thanks to Doreen Marx, Executive Director of Sunday Afternoons of Music for Children, The University of Miami, the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall directors, and the Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music for hosting such a wonderful event.  Special thanks to the lovely Mrs. Lewis for chaperoning!

Test Taking Workshop @ FIU

On Saturday March 24, 2012 Florida International University's Black Student Union (BSU) hosted our Dreamers to a Test Taking Workshop.  The idea of the day was for our middle/high school Dreamers to discuss test taking strategies with current college students.  The day began with simple introductions by members of the BSU and Dreamers.  Next, BSU members presented an informative powerpoint that shared habits that can be used before taking an exam, during the exam, and after an exam.  Next, the Dreamers participated in "FCAT Jeopardy".  An interactive question/answer game that rewarded participants with candy, chocolate, or BSU Shades (The dreamer ALL loved the chocolate and the Shades)!  The day was concluded with a delicious lunch of Papa John's Pizza and Fruit Juice (provided by the BSU and interesting conversations that included everything from "not only joining clubs/teams but being leaders or office holders" to the social hot topic of Trayvon Martin.  Overall the day was AMAZING!  Special thanks to BSU members: Jerron J., Lillie W., Solange D. and Larry B.  GREAT Job Ms. Goodlette for putting everything togeher!

Parent & Mentor Mixer

Thanks to Take Stock in Children and willing community members, most of the Dreamers have dedicated mentors who meet with them on a regular basis. Some of the Dreamers have been with the same mentor for years and have developed meaningful relationships with them! Because the Dreamers are the core focus of the I Have A Dream organization, it is very important for the main adults in their lives to meet and develop a relationship of their own: the parents and the mentors.

The Parent & Mentor Mixer was held at Phyllis Wheatley Elementary School. Here, Dreamers, parents, and mentors came together and laughed over great food and conversation! After the introductions, the evening took off with a very FUN trivia game. The game asked various questions about the Dreamers (e.g. favorite color; top choice for college; hobbies; etc) in which the parents and mentors had to figure out which Dreamer the responses matched. It was a nice and fun way to test how much each parent and mentor knew about their Dreamer. Most importantly, the parents and mentors had the opportunity to get to know one another. At the end, parents had to state 3 things they learned about their child's mentor. It was very nice to see them interacting!

THANK YOU to all the parents and mentors who attended this event!! You guys are AWESOME!!!



Trivia Game begins!



The Smith Family & Martinique (mentor)

Patricia (mentor) & the Spells Family



Simon (mentor) & the Cruz Family




Greg (mentor), Malik,  and his mom (Ms. Johnson)



Jennifer (mentor), Estrella, her mom (Ms. Ulces)

Mentor(n): an experienced and trusted friend and adviser

"Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction." {John C. Crosby}

Field Day!!

Nearly 90 Dreamers spent their Saturday (March 3 2012) at a Field Day in Greynold's Park! To enjoy this day of Egg-N-Spoon Race, Water Balloon Toss, Potato Sack Race,and Tug-of-War, two I Have A Dream programs came together: the middle/high school Dreamers from Overtown and the fourth/fifth grade Dreamers from Hibiscus Elementary. It was nice to see the older and younger Dreamers come together in play, conversation, and over GREAT food!

Although working in different locations and with different youths, both programs share a common vision: to have our Dreamers attain educational goals that will allow them to lead positive lives. Knowing this common goal, it is only natural for the two groups to not only enjoy each other's company, but also learn from one another. There is so much that the older Dreamers can teach the younger Dreamers; and believe it or not, the older Dreamers can also learn from the younger Dreamers as well. It was an AWESOME collaboration...one worth repeating in the near future :)

A VERY special thank you to AmeriCorps VISTA Glenn Howard, Project Coordinator Jonas Severes, Co-Project Coordinator Micah Whitney, and ALL of the volunteers who gave up their Saturday to help.

Black Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum

In honor of Black History Month, the Dreamers toured the Black Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum in Overtown on February 25 2012.

The Precinct & Museum was constructed in 1950 in the Black community of Colored Town (now known as Overtown). Although short-lived, the Precinct & Museum was very successful: Officer Otis Davis was one of the first Black homicide detectives in Miami, Florida; the Precinct was responsible for confiscating numerous fire-arms and making the streets of Colored Town safe; and more than 6000 cases were tried by a Black judge, Judge Johnson.

Dreamers learned that despite the hard work of the Black police officers, they all faced discrimination:
1. They were denied the opportunity to take the Police Exam
2. Were called "patrolmen" instead of "policemen"
3. They did not receive a pension, although the white police officers did
4. Only Black police officers had to walk or share the one bicycle in the Precinct

Dreamers were also able to see the courtroom, Judge's chamber, and the jail cells. It was a nice trip and I urge all followers of this blog to take a visit.

A HUGE "Thank you" to our tour guide, Shelby D. Goodman!! You were AWESOME!!

Retired Black police officers responsible for making the precinct a historic museum

White officers in KKK gear during a funeral procession of a fellow officer

Otis Davis: one of the first Black homicide detectives in Miami, FL

Black officers had to walk or ride a bicycle

Inside the courthouse

Jail Cell

Group Picture :)