Departments & Programs

The "I Have A Dream" Program
at Clark Elementary

Project Coordinator:
Erica Lloyd
(434) 245-2520
Erica.Lloyd@ccs.k12.va.us

“I Have A Dream” is a long-term program of academic and social support for children from low-income communities. This program, operated by the “I Have A Dream ”Foundation of Charlottesville, will follow the “Dreamers” from first grade through high school graduation, changing along with the children to meet their needs and help them achieve their potential. Upon graduating, Dreamers will be able to attend college, community college, or vocational education with complete tuition assistance from “I Have A Dream.”

Mission

The “I Have A Dream” program strives to help children from low-income areas become productive citizens by providing a long term program of monitoring, tutoring and enrichment, with an assured opportunity for higher education.

Goals

“I Have A Dream” seeks to help our Dreamers become productive citizens - people who are well-educated, gainfully employed and culturally aware. Productive citizens are willing and able to contribute to their community. "I Have A Dream" also seeks to have a trickle-down effect on the community by getting families involved in education and empowered to help their children succeed.

Children Served

Our “Dreamers” are 63 third and fourth grade students at Clark Elementary, in addition to 5 students who no longer attend Clark but who remain active in the program. Unfortunately, because of the cost of providing not only activities but college tuition for the Dreamers, "I Have A Dream" is a closed program.

Services Offered

  • In-School Tutors
  • Dreamer Dollars (behavior/study skills incentive program)
  • Mentoring
  • After-School Tutoring and Homework Help
  • Family Night (team sports, dinner, and educational activities for families)
  • Lunch Buddies (monthly lunches and written correspondence with students of the Youth Leadership Initiative at Burley Middle School)
  • Kids Are Ready for Education (small-group counseling)
  • Birthday Outings
  • Community Service
  • Summer Program
  • Special Events (computer classes, holiday parties, sporting events and other cultural opportunities)