"I Have a Dream" is a national non-profit foundation dedicated to helping under-served children complete high school, with the promise of college tuition assistance.
It is our philosophy that "simple justice requires that our children have an equal chance to compete." The primary goal of our program is to provide these children with an educational foundation that will allow them to graduate high school, attend college or vocational training, and secure gainful employment.

Description:
The Chelsea "I Have a Dream" Program is a comprehensive program serving first and second-graders living in the Elliott-Chelsea housing projects. The program follows the children through high school graduation, providing remedial tutoring, arts and recreation activities, and mentors. Mental health services and supportive services for families are also provided and are supervised by a licensed professional.

History:
The "I Have a Dream" program was created in 1981, when philanthropist Eugene Lang made an impromptu offer to class of graduating sixth graders at P.S. 121 in East Harlem. He told this class that any member who stayed in school, graduated an qualified for college, would, through him, be assured of having the financial resources to pursue his or her education- his or her "Dream." Local IHAD projects across the United States "adopt" entire grades from public elementary schools, or corresponding age-groups from public housing developments. The "Dreamers" are then provided with a year-round program of academic, social and recreational activities throughout their elementary, middle school and high school years.

Contact people:

Terrence Stokes Jr., Volunteer Coordinator, (212) 627-3086, (email) Elizabeth Cooke, Program Director, (212) 627-3086, (email)

Address:

322 8th Ave. Suite 200 NYC, NY 10001 (See a map)

Directions:

Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: A,C, E, 1, 2, 3