DALLAS, Texas, USA
The Dallas DREAMS chapter was introduced to the Garland community by Mr. Shaji Thomas and Mr. Johnson Kuriakose, who visited the DREAMS program in Monroe, LA. With the help of Mr. Haridas and some of their friends have conducted an open dinner musical night for the public to officially inaugurate and welcome more volunteers to join the project on Saturday, April 26th, 2014. Mr. Shaji Thomas, Mr. Johnson Kuriakose, and Mr. Haridas Thankappan, the co-founders of this chapter had met with the board members of the association with the Indian Cultural and Education Center. In the first week of August 2014, Dallas DREAMS Chapter organized its first summer camp at India Cultural and Education Center. A good majority of the participants were constituted by second-generation Indians.
Ms. Brandy Soileau, Ms. Linda Legrand, and Mr. Nicholas Duncun from Louisiana visited and trained the mentors for the first couple of summer camps and follow up programs. The active involvement of children and their parents made the event a huge success.
In 2016 India Cultural and Education Center (ICEC) of Dallas TX agreed to collaborate with Let Us Dream, Inc and was invited to have its DREAMS intervention program as their facility for the local middle school students. Later the chapter got approved as an official service project of the Dallas County Community College District.
The project serves more than 30 middle school students with the help of 12 to 15 college mentors and more than 12 adult community volunteers every year. Those students who completed the first three-year program are actually handling and running the camps and the follow-up program. The Dallas DREAMS Youth Team implemented the first-ever virtual summer camp in 2020 under the leadership of Mr. Leon Tharakan, Mr. Alen Koshy, and Mr. Jotham Simon and Ms. Leah Tharakan.
Ms. Brandy Soileau, Ms. Linda Legrand, and Mr. Nicholas Duncun from Louisiana visited and trained the mentors for the first couple of summer camps and follow up programs. The active involvement of children and their parents made the event a huge success. Later The chapter later got approved as an official service project of the Dallas Community College. The project serves more than 30 middle school students with the help of 12 to 15 college mentors and more than 12 adult community volunteers every year. Those students who completed the first three-year program are actually handling and running the camps and the follow-up program. The Dallas DREAMS Youth Team implemented the first-ever virtual summer camp in 2020 under the leadership of Mr. Leon Tharakan, Mr. Alen, and Mr. Jotham Simon.
The DREAMS Band strives towards making a positive difference in the community by utilizing their musical skills. The band was initiated under the leadership of Mr. Shaji Thomas, Mr. Dawn Jose, Mr. Sujan Tharakan, and Mr. Mathew Ozhukayil. Mr. Leon Tharakan, Ms. Angela Shaji, and Ms. Leah Tharakan were the youth leaders of the band who took great initiative to spread the mission. They have participated in various programs and led concerts at different places receiving wide recognition. Their performances in DREAMS summer annual camps and at old age homes were highly appreciated. Currently, they are working on new songs and albums by recruiting and encouraging interested new members to explore their talents.
The DREAMS Pro-club is a support group for the personal and professional development of young professionals. Small groups of 10-12 working professionals meet once every month to discuss and implement strategies for their professional growth. The club helps in inculcating values of identity and community belonging among the members. The program aims at enhancing communication skills, generating positive attitudes about self and others, developing leadership, cooperation, and community engagement.
The Dallas Pro Club Chapter is yet to be initiated. Those who are interested to take a partnership may contact Mr. Johnson Kuriakose for further details.
DALLAS FB GROUP
DALLAS GALLERY
Conference Chairs
Mr Shaji Thomas
Mr Jacob Mathew
Ms. Angela Shaji
Mr Johnson Kuriakose
Mr. Shaji Thomas
Mr Leon Tharakan
Mr. Sujan Tharakan
Mr. Dawn Jose
Mr. Mathew Ozhukayil
Ms. Leah Tharakan
testimonials
I’ve witnessed the program change lives in a way that I have never seen any program with similar goals could ever even imagine. Everyone should have a chance to see that they can do anything, and I will help in any way I can to make that happen.
Really innovative concept.. I was looking forward for such curated content and i got more than i was expecting. I am so far very thrilled with overall experience and improvement.
I was organizing my closet and came across my DREAMS tshirt. This reminded me of how much fun I had with your students and how your volunteer team made me feel extremely welcome. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the DREAMS.
SUPPORTERS & COLLABORATORS
Connect us
