"I Have A Dream" Foundation- Milwaukee

“I Have A Dream” Milwaukee is a unique affiliate of the “I Have A Dream” Foundation. The program is driven by individuals and public and private sector organizations committed to helping children from low-income backgrounds achieve a higher education. “I Have A Dream” Milwaukee was launched in 2008 at Clarke Street School by Mayor Tom Barrett and other supporters. The program has garnered over $2 million in investments to guarantee every Dreamer college tuition support and access to comprehensive, year-round tutoring, mentoring and other social support services until they complete college. “I Have A Dream “Milwaukee is currently administered by a Program Manager and is looking to expand capacity. In addition to serving Dreamers, the staff works with families to address ongoing family challenges to remove potential barriers. The goal is to have each family achieve self-sufficient status to stabilize their foundation to support Dreamers. The program currently serves 27 Dreamers, now 1st and 2nd Year college students, and their families. 97% of Dreamers are African American and 71% live in single parent, female headed households with annual incomes of less than $20,000. The poverty rate in the neighborhood and adjoining areas where Clarke Street School is located exceeds 60%. Metcalfe Park faces numerous social and economic challenges including high crime, unemployment, teen pregnancy and school drop-out rates. Our dream is a world where every child has equal access to the educational and career opportunities that will ignite their innate potential

The "I Have A Dream" Foundation works to ensure that all children have the opportunity to pursue higher education, fulfill their potential, and achieve their dreams. We empower children (“Dreamers”) in under-resourced communities to graduate from college by equipping them with the skills and knowledge to succeed in postsecondary school, along with tuition support to remove financial barriers. By helping our Dreamers gain access to college, we are putting them on a different academic and life trajectory, while having a broader impact on the students' families and the generations that follow.