Tales From East Harlem

While our Dreamers and IHDF-NY staff enjoy their much-earned winter break, we wanted to share some stories written by the creative Dreamers at East Harlem. In Spring 2014, these third and fourth graders wrote, illustrated, revised, and edited their own original stories over six weeks, which were published in a book entitled "Tales From East Harlem." East Harlem Academi Director Angela Wyche wrote in the introduction that "These stories are a wonder to behold, a testament not only to the diligence of these children, but also to their humanity, their creativity and their truly unique perspective on the world around them."

So with no further adieu, we are happy to share one story by East Harlem Dreamer Aveon. We hope you will enjoy reading it!

Spotlight On Dreamer Alumni: Juan D. Martinez!

This month, we chat with Juan D. Martinez, Esq., part of the Original Dreamer class. Juan also recently hosted a site visit of the U.S. State Department for those attending this year's National Dreamer Conference in Washington, DC. Thank you for sharing your stories and being an inspiration to our Dreamers, Juan!

Original Dreamer Juan D. Martinez, Esq.

Original Dreamer Juan D. Martinez, Esq.

Name:  Juan D. Martínez, Esq.

Dreamer Cohort:  Eugene M. Lang

Year joined program/Which grade were you in?: 1981/6th grade

What High School did you attend, and what year did you graduate? The Bronx High School of Science, Class of 1987.

Did you go to college/secondary school? If so, where and what did you study? Swarthmore College, B.A. in Philosophy, Class of 1991.

What are you doing now? I am a Foreign Service Officer/Diplomat in the U.S. Department of State.

How would you explain the “I Have A Dream” program to someone who had never heard of it? The IHAD Program provides academic support and resources that “fill in the gap” present for many students in disadvantage communities that help to open doors to educational opportunities that might not otherwise be available.

How did being a Dreamer affect you? Being a Dreamer has truly been one of the most positive experiences in my life. I have been incredibly fortunate to have had the educational opportunities afford to me, but, also to have been able to form life-long bonds with my sponsor Gene Lang, Project Coordinator Johnny Rivera, and several of my fellow “Original Dreamers,” even more than thirty years later.

What were some of your favorite memories about being a Dreamer? Getting together with fellow classmates/Dreamers at our Community-Based Organization, the Youth Action Program (now YouthBuild USA: http://www.youthaction-nyc.org/2.html), after school and during the summer.

Would you be where you are today without “I Have A Dream” – New York? Why or why not? While it’s likely that I would still be where I am today without the “I Have A Dream” program, it would have been a decidedly more difficult path.

What does your family think of “I Have A Dream” – New York? My family have been supporters and fans of the “I Have A Dream” program, as a whole, since its inception.

If you are a Dreamer Alum who would like to share your story for the blog, please contact Allison Curran at acurran@ihaveadreamny.org. 

Spotlight On Video: Free Arts NYC at East Harlem

One of the aspects that makes "I Have A Dream" programming possible is our rich partnerships with other nonprofit organizations. Free Arts NYC is one of our closest and longest-running partners, and our Dreamers have benefited greatly from the programming that they provide in arts education and hands-on experiences. One program that our East Harlem Dreamers and families enjoy is the Parents and Children Together with Art (PACT) Program, where families use art to enhance communication and problem solving skills.

This wonderful video showing a PACT workshop at PS 7 was recently shown at the National Guild for Community Arts Conference in Los Angeles earlier this year. Many thanks to Free Arts for sharing it with us and for the wonderful programming that our Dreamers enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDX0cZm0MS4&feature=youtu.be 

A Dreamer Parent's Perspective

Today on the blog, we are thrilled to share a post from Judi, one of the mothers at our Chelsea II Cohort. Chelsea II has a regular Mothers' Group for Dreamer Mothers to meet and discuss a variety of topics openly and confidentially, with conversations led by Nora, a trained social worker.

What does the IHAD Mothers’ Group mean to me? Or what has it done for me?

Hmmmm, I’d have to say it has kept me from going to jail…

I’m kidding, of course. But, seriously, it has kept me sane and rational in my thoughts and words towards my children. The Mothers’ group is a safe place to vent and discuss our frustration with our children. I think I can speak for all the moms in our group when I say that I appreciate the feedback from other moms going through the same or similar experience we have raising teens in NYC.

Our kids are unique in that they have more freedom than most teens and they are exposed to so much more media than any other city or town. As parents/single moms, we are competing with so many overwhelming distractions in such an imbalanced forum such as social media, films, music, friends, etc. that may challenge the values we try to instill in our children.

So, the challenge of raising kids can be overwhelming for us as well. We are trying to do our best, but sometimes it does not seem like enough. I would cry for feeling like a failure if it was not for the Mothers’ Group. Nora & Co. help me focus on the positives in my life and they listen and offer advice and smile and laugh. And, laughter is the best medicine for my heart that sometimes hurts as a mother.

Thank you Nora & Co. for helping me remember my strength and my value as a person and a mother. :)