IMMANUEL’S DREAMERS:
LOTS OF LEARNING, LOTS OF FUN!

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For nearly two decades, Immanuel Presbyterian Church has been building strong personal bonds between members of our Congregation and youth in and around Anacostia in Washington, DC. Our first class of “Dreamers” – the name derived from our association with the national I Have A Dream Foundation – began in 1990 and involved more than 60 youth. Today, more than half have received Immanuel’s help in gaining post-high school education – and more.

Our second Dreamers group is “anchored” in Anacostia’s Garden Memorial Presbyterian Church on Minnesota Avenue, SE, and is nurtured and mentored by a substantial number of Immanuelites through the Changing Lives Committee. On most Saturdays, our Dreamers are tutored or take part in enrichment activities. Older Dreamers also receive professional tutoring. And all of our Dreamers receive the aid of Tracy Proctor, the Dreamer Program Director. And the entire Immanuel community is involved, providing financial support for the yearly activities and guaranteeing post-high school educational financial aid.

Summer ‘08 was a very exciting time for many of our Dreamers. Two Dreamers took part in Experiment in International Living programs. Jonathan, a rising 11th grader, spent a month in Germany and the Czech Republic, including a homestay with a German family and a community service project in the Czech Republic (cleaning up a cemetery for Holocaust victims). Chris, who enters college this fall, spent 3 ½ weeks in Spain, traveling and staying with a Spanish family in Valencia. Both truly enjoyed their experiences.

Eight of our Dreamers attended Camp Merrowvista in New Hampshire this summer for either three or four weeks. The stays included multi-day hiking, biking and canoeing trips. They hiked on the Appalachian Trail and biked either to the coast of Maine or to Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory in Vermont. Participants were Tori (rising 6th grader), Darious, Jesse and Jessica (rising 9th graders) and Shaylah, Raven, Howard and Carlton (rising 10th graders).

Most of the Dreamers who are 14 years or older participated in the DC Summer Youth Employment program at the Florida Avenue Baptist Church. Some supervised younger children, while others planned field trips and filmed summer activities.

Tracy Proctor escorted two of our Dreamers to a one-week program at Hillsdale College in southern Michigan for high-achieving Dreamers from across the nation. Ashley and Destini received an exciting and useful introduction to college classes and lifestyles.

Tracy also accompanied three Dreamers to the national Dreamer Conference at the University of Georgia. Participants were Walter, Connie and Raheem. The report was that it was a good experience and fun.

Immanuel’s financial support was leveraged significantly by partial scholarships from the Vermont-based Experiment in International Living and Camp Merrowvista; additional funding from the Immanuel Community Service & Action Committee and national I Have a Dream Foundation.

Fall 2008 brings changes for many of our Dreamers. We are very, very excited that five of our Dreamers depart for the start of their college and professional training: Brittany heads for Spellman in Atlanta; Chris heads for Virginia Union in Richmond, Virginia; Regina is off to Allegany College in Cumberland, Maryland; Kenisha will be at Baltimore International; and Josh is bound for Virginia Commonwealth in Richmond, Virginia.

We also have several Dreamers headed for new schools outside the Washington, DC, metro area, including brothers Darious and Walter, who will attend Shenandoah Valley Academy.

Most Dreamers will meet with Immanuel mentors each Saturday morning. We welcome those who can join us for one or more Saturdays – no need for a commitment to participating every week. Click here to be added to the weekly e-mail describing planned activities for each of our age groups. And you are especially welcome to join us for some of our special All-Dreamers events, including:

September 13 – Dragon Boats Outing
The DC Dragon Boat Club will host us for a "Picnic & Paddle" day from 10:30 am to about 3:00 pm. Departures from Garden at 10 am. Immanuel youth and parents are welcome to join us. 

October 4 – AppleFest IV at Immanuel for Dreamers and Immanuel families
We’ll use the Meeting House to prepare apple pies, cakes, cookies and more between 10 am and noon, using Dreamer-picked apples! And we’ll also carve some pumpkins!

December 6 – Dreamer Holiday Gift and Cookies Event
Immanuel families will help our Dreamers make and decorate cookies and Christmas gifts between 10 am and noon in the Meeting House.

February 14 – Dreamer Valentine Cards and Cookie Making
Immanuel families will help our Dreamers make Valentine cards and decorate cookies for themselves and those at the Chesterbrook Residences between 10 am and noon in the Meeting House.