"Do all the good you can, by all the means you
can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you
can, at all the times you can, to all the people you
can, as long as ever you can." –Hillary Clinton
This statement accurately describes the mission of
the Stephanie Starks HOPE Foundation's Dreams Count™
Initiative. Dreams Count™ concept seeks to provide
kids with the kind of once-in-a-lifetime educational
opportunities that they would not otherwise have access
to. It is our goal to partner the Dreams Count™
Members with stabilizing and positive role models by
not only taking them on trips, but by spending valuable
time with the children at area Boys and Girls Clubs.
The Dreams Count™ concept hopes to become an
educational epicenter for the children we work with.
Whether the group is working on a valuable life skill
such as learning to properly construct a resume or reviewing
the required skills that will successfully prepare them
for an upcoming trip, the Dreams Count™ program
will provide stability and educational benefits that
the kids will cherish and remember for a lifetime. The
trips will expose children to a wide variety of subjects,
people from different cultures and backgrounds, and
will teach them invaluable lessons of how to plan, prepare,
and travel outside of the continental United States.
Additionally, these trips will give the Dreams Count™
kids an identity that will provide Stephanie Starks
HOPE Foundation a solid platform to elevate the hopes
and dreams of a dedicated bunch of passionate teenagers
in the Southern California Area.
The program, which emphasizes accountability and responsibly,
teaches and reinforces valuable lessons that will assist
the kids when they enter college, graduate school, or
the business world. Every child should have the security
in knowing they Can Dream, their Dreams Count and with
hard work, they Can Achieve their Dreams™. This
belief is passed along to the kids who are members of
Dreams Count™ Program.
[top]
Who Can Be A Dreams Count™
Member?
These are some remarkable kids from the ages of 8-18
years old. The kids that we target to help are great
kids that come usually from single parent families or
struggling 2 parent homes. These kids must have at least
a 2.5 grade point average or better to participate in
the program. It is the belief of the Stephanie Starks
HOPE Foundation that we must reward our kids and encourage
them to do good in school, to respect themselves, respect
others, and respect the society in which they live.
The children who don't get to participate because of
their grades have some type of motivation to get better
grades. They can participate in Dreams Count™
but not the field trips, etc., until their grades are
up and they display a respect for themselves, others,
and for society.
[top]
Why Don't You Target "At Risk" Kids?
These kids are at risk!! Just because you are doing
well in school doesn't mean you aren't at risk. Children
who are left home alone between the hours of 2-5pm fall
prey to some of the many pitfalls of society like drugs,
violence, teen pregnancies, etc. Often times you have
kids that are 11 and 12 that are doing really well in
school, then they enter Junior High School or High School
and are introduced to the wrong things and there grades
fall off. We want to build such a self respect and be
such a motivating force that when children are targeted
by gang members, by drug dealers, etc., that they can
firmly walk away and resist the temptation to do wrong.
Because they know they Can Dream their Dreams Count
and with hard work, they Can Achieve their Dreams™.
Single parent families have a hard battle between providing
financially for their children and providing quality
time for their children. They have a difficult time
keeping their children motivated to do good in school.
Often times parents can't complete with the images that
are displayed constantly on BET and MTV. Most single
parent families can't afford to give their child the
opportunity to go to a NBA game, NFL game, out of town,
or even just have a nice dinner and a movie. Through
Dreams Count™ and with the help of our dedicated
mentors and volunteers we can provide the opportunity
and make a difference.
We must Assist our parents and help them protect their
children. It takes a village to raise a child. Together
we can make a DIFFERENCE in the lives of our children!
[top]
What We Do
In addition to providing the kids with educational
opportunities they also participate in all of our activities
within the Beyond The Best Interest of A Child Initiative.
Some of them are: Project Read for Hope™ and Let's
Make The World Beautiful™. We also award them
by taking them on special outing like Game Day Ticket,
Kid's At The Movies, etc.
[top]
DC WEAR™
To create a united evolvement for the kids and a DC
identity we have created DC WEAR™ designed by
Phenix Web Design! Each member is asked to have their
parent or sponsor purchase their DC WEAR™.
On all outings, kids are asked to wear their DC
WEAR™ - this will identify them with
the group and foster a sense of unity.
To purchase your DC WEAR™, please
visit our Planting HOPE™
online store. We also have DC WEAR™
for adults! Show your support - all proceeds go to fund
our National Initiatives and the kids trips!
[top]
If You Would Like To Participate
If you are a parent and would like more information
on how your child can become apart of Dreams Count™,
please complete our Dreams
Count form. Also, if you would like to know how
your organization could implement or sponsor our program
please fill out the Dreams
Count form and include your organization's name.
[top]
