Since 1988, when Mollie Lasater met Eugene Lang (founder of "I Have a Dream" Foundation) and brought the program to Fort Worth, we have assisted hundreds of local underpriviledged children realize their Dream of graduation and (for many) college education. Building long lasting relationships with the Dreamers is a key factor in the success of our Dreamers.
We are striving to break the poverty cycle one child at a time through academic enrichment, mentoring, and tutoring while also offering scholarship assistance to college or trade school once the Dreamers graduate via regular school, GED or other graduation programs. Our Dreamers and their parents/guardians have benefited from these long term relationships with the staff and volunteers of the IHAD program which has built trust, self-esteem and positive ambition not typically found in similar communities. We have found that this relationship can be the determining factor in the Dreamers pursuing education/job skill training beyond high school and thereby becoming productive citizens.
The importance of high school graduation has been stressed in several government as well as non-profit reports this past year. Below is a statement of purpose found on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation website: (http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Education).
"Through its partnerships in communities across the nation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is committed to raising the high school graduation rate and helping all students—regardless of race or family income—graduate as strong citizens ready for college and work."
According to noted education researcher Chris Swanson of Editorial Projects in Education, only 55.9 percent of Hispanic students and 55.3 percent of African-American students in Texas receive a high school diploma, compared to graduation rates of 85.3 percent for the state's Asian students and 73.5 percent for its Anglo students. Overall, Swanson estimated, only 65 percent of Texas's Class of 2004 reached graduation on time.
Using enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and Swanson's graduation rate data, the Alliance for Excellent Education estimates that more than 124,000 students in Texas were somewhere else in 2004 when their peers received their high school diplomas -- at a cost of more than $32 billion to the state and country in lost wages, taxes and productivity over their lifetimes. This situation is nothing short of a crisis -- for the individual, the state and the nation.
The "I Have a Dream" Foundation - Fort Worth has four full time and three part time employees. We depend greatly on our mentors, college aged tutors from local universities and a great number of volunteers whose generous support and efficiency are greatly appreciated. Funding is provided by donations from individuals, Civic Groups, Foundations, Grants and a yearly fundraising event. Please visit the other pages of our site for more information and helpful links. We thank you for your interest in the "I Have a Dream Foundation".
"I Have a Dream" Foundation - Fort Worth (817.738.0212)
"Making a difference through education."