Where the Dream Begins
View Biographies for Some of Our Newest Dream Achievers Here
Tough Realities, True Hope, and Great Allies.
The Dream Come True Foundation begins with the tough realities of poverty. Most people who are in poverty will never escape it.
When you’re driving down the streets of a large city like Austin, Texas you often see people from your car window–enduring blazing summer heat and cold winters–looking for a few bucks to keep alive. These people are surrounded by air conditioned shelters, job counseling, and educational programs, yet few will ever access these programs. Short-term charity is good. All great religions and humanitarian movements teach it.
There are people who come from impossible situations who dare to dream. There are people who are determined to educate themselves and make a difference in the world. These people are “on the edge of success.” Our mission is to “make their dream come true.” We believe we can find these unique individuals and help them move into a life of sustainable success.
(c) Jay C. Herman www.zoompetphotograpy.com
Calandra exemplifies the Dream Come True mission. She has overcome a difficult childhood of poverty and very challenging circumstances. She has shown a great deal of resilience in successfully pursuing her education before she received help from the foundation. As a single mother raising four children, she never gave up and is on her way to being a nurse and following her dream of a career and financial independence.
Keisa
Keisa is a nursing student at Concordia University. Born with Sickle Cell Anemia, she has struggled through sickness and limited resources to earn a nursing degree after years of work in cosmetology, as a student at Baylor, and as the mother of two children. Keisa has a 3.82 GPA at Concordia School of Nursing and is on the Dean’s List. She is a strong and determined woman, and an inspiration to us all. We are so thankful to the Dream Come True supporters for helping Keisa meet the tuition costs for her final semester of study.
Carmella
This young single mother of two was a 14-year-old, illiterate runaway when she came to our partner agency, Lifeworks. Lifeworks helped her attain a GED. When she came to DCTF she had won an academic scholarship to St. Edwards, but was unable to use it, since she could not support her family and go to school. DCTF provided a living stipend, tutoring, technology support and mentoring over a 2-year period. She graduated from St. Ed’s in May, 2010 with a degree in Social Work. She is now a social worker; her children are thriving and one is in a Gifted and Talented program.
Elena
When this young single mother of two came to the Dream Come True Foundation, she was working 12 hour days cleaning houses for $100 a week. With the help of the DCTF, she was able to get a good job in the medical field that tapped her intelligence and bilingual skills. She has worked there for several years and was quickly identified for her leadership skills. She has gone from having nearly no time with her children to being a “T-Ball” Mom, who is totally engaged with her children and their education. We moved her from substandard housing to a duplex in a safe neighborhood and gave her a good, reliable car, the linchpin for her employment.
