The Dream Chasers Academy

The Dream Chaser Academy (DCA) uses “exposure” as a way to teach, inspire and encourage young people to pursue and live the life of their dreams.  The goal of DCA is to unlock the potential within each youth through providing them with a new way of viewing the possibilities for their lives.  We believe that when young people see themselves as Dream Chasers, they believe that anything is possible, they are open to different ideas, experiences and their thought process changes from “I can’t” to “I can, from “I have never” to “One day I will”, and from “Stop dreaming” to “NEVER Stop Dreaming”. 
 
Dream Chaser Academy emphasizes the importance of knowing your dreams, networking and being prepared for any situation.  Participants will have opportunities to create products, sell products, earn money, as well as volunteer time and give back to the community.  Additionally, participants will learn the value of working together as a team and being able to pull their own weight. Lastly, individuals selected for the Dream Chaser Academy will learn the importance of leveraging social media, using their voice and marketing products as well as themselves.
 
Below is an overview of some of the activities, opportunities and exposure participants in the Dream Chaser Academy will have:

• Workshop and Facilitation
  • Participating in The Dream Chasers Workshop
  • Learning to facilitate the 10 Types of Dreams Workshop
• Entrepreneurship
  • Weekly conversations with entrepreneurs
  • Selling the Dream Hero Ice Cream Sandwich
  • Creating & selling custom T-Shirt designs
  • Developing Motivational CDs
  • Selling other Dream Support Network Products
• Philanthropy
  • Facilitating Ice Cream for a Dream
  • Volunteering and supporting community initiatives
  • Visiting and spending time with the elderly, children or other populations in need
• The importance of Networking
  • Soft Skills Training
  • Attendance at community events
  • Creating networking events for fellow Dream Chasers and peers
• Learning Etiquette in preparation for professional meetings/ business dinners
  • Learning proper etiquette for meals
  • Choosing appropriate attire for every situation
  • Grooming for success
• Documentation of what we do
  • Creating a Podcast
  • Filming and editing a video documentary (with NE Video)
  • Write articles for the Northend Agents Newspaper
• Meeting and discussing the Dream Chaser life with fellow Dream Chasers
• Dream Capacity Building Activities
  • Horseback riding (Ebony Horse Women)
  • Drive a train (Essex Steam Train)
  • Design a custom T-shirt (E. Campbell Worx)
  • Ropes Course (Wilderness School)
  • Ice Skating
  • Escape Room
• Short Travel experience
  • The program would culminate with a trip to Washington, DC for a weekend.  The focus of this trip is expose them to the planning of a trip, historically Black Colleges & Universities and go to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.