College Dreams

College Dreams promotes healthy youth development, academic excellence, and college preparation for students, especially those who face life challenges.  Eligible students will be enrolled in any of our programs, based on whether they meet eligibility requirements, and if there is space available.  We do not take “referrals” for any programs, although we welcome “nominations” from schools, local organizations, parents, and community members.  Additional College Dreams information, updates, and pictures are available on our Web Site at www.collegedreams.org.  For any specific questions, please call Judie Drummond at 541-476-8146 or contact her by Email at  jdrummond@collegedreams.org.

College Challenge.  Students served by College Challenge have high academic potential and very low grades.  This very positive brief intervention program uses “best practice” academic motivational enhancement strategies and longer term support to explain the long term value of education, to challenge students to excel at school, to provide meaningful incentives and recognition for academic progress. 

College Incentive Program.  Through this evidence-based program, middle school students with multiple life challenges and Grade Point Averages of 2.70 to 4.00 earn special outings, funds for youth programs, and college scholarship funds.  Students are served at their middle schools and high schools for five to seven years by highly trained Prevention Specialists who provide strong support, monitor academic progress, and motivate academic excellence.  Program evaluations show that participants have 60% lower dropout rates, 70% fewer juvenile arrests, and double the rate of academic excellence indicators, in contrast to similar comparison students.

Dream Leaders.  This leadership development program is offered for Dreamers who excel in high school, who exceed program expectations for community service and youth activity involvement, and who demonstrate strong leadership potential. Dream Leaders provides leadership training, opportunities to help develop new youth and community initiatives, and opportunities to volunteer for special projects.

Dream$avers.  We are a “pilot program” site for this exciting new Oregon program for low income students.  Students who are invited to become Dream$avers will participate in financial education classes and develop a college funding plan.  They will be required to save up to $2,000 for college (including a portion of their earned College Dreams awards), which will be matched on a 3:1 basis with up to $6,000 in earned scholarship funds.

Fostering Success.  This long term program provides a positive peer group, special outings, skill training, and leadership development opportunities for children and youth who are living in foster care or relative care situations.  Our services include adventure-based summer day camps, a trip to Barnes & Noble Bookstore with gift certificates, Christmas present wrapping for younger children in need, trips to water parks in Springfield and Redding, a Family Fun Center trip, and adventure-based outings.

Guiding Lights Mentoring Program.  This program provides well-trained volunteer mentors who spend time interacting with individual students at one of our partner schools or partner organization sites.  Students selected for mentoring typically have good academic potential, multiple life challenges, and often have low academic grades.  Our mentors serve as positive role models and support the efforts of parents and school staff by listening, sharing interests, and spending individual time with students on high interest activities.  One hour of positive attention each week can make a world of difference in the life of a student.