1 Summer/Fall 2013 | Des Moines “I HAVE A DREAM” Foundation | www.desmoinesdreams.org 2507 University Ave | Des Moines, IA 50311 | 515-271-1976

OUR MISSION The Des Moines “I Have a Dream” Foundation

motivates and empowers children from low-income communities to reach their

education and career goals by providing a long-term program of mentoring,

tutoring and enrichment, as well as tuition assistance for higher education.

Are a child’s dreams portable? Do big dreams squeeze tightly into a second grader’s tiny backpack, or perch on the edge of a desk during algebra class? Will dreams stick around if a child is chronically hungry, afraid for her safety at home or diagnosed with a behavior disorder or learning disability? Do dreams grow and evolve with each new experience – like his first time seeing a ballet, or being chal-lenged to build and test a tabletop windmill? Yes, with the help of caring adults.

The world needs more Dream Keepers. The kind of positive people who invest in a kid’s potential. Grownups who’ve heard their share of mustn’t, but continue to bet on the power of possibilities.

At the Des Moines “I Have a Dream” Foundation, we believe education is a community effort. Each of us can foster a brighter future for children in our commu-nity, but it takes a long-term commitment. We’re calling on you to keep kids’ dreams alive by pledging a contribution to programs that support at-risk kids.

Read more about what we’re up to and ways you can get involved helping to keep the dream of education alive in our children.

Calling all Dream Keepers

“I HAVE A DREAM” FoundationDes Moines

In this issue:

Page 2: College Savings Accounts bank on success

Page 3: IHAD Community snapshots

Page 4: Sweet Dreams 2013 raises a record amount

Page 5: See who’s been in-vesting in “I Have a Dream”Save the date for the “Books for Breakfast” family-friendly fundraiser

IHAD Wish List: • Gas cards

($10 denominations)• Classroom Career

Ambassador volunteers• Adopt-a-Family

volunteers for the holidays

Summer/Fall 2013 | Des Moines “I HAVE A DREAM” Foundation | www.desmoinesdreams.org 2 2507 University Ave | Des Moines, IA 50311 | 515-271-1976

Can having $500 in college savings really make a difference?Notes from Executive Director Emily W. Hamilton

The Des Moines “I Have a Dream” Foundation promise -- to stick with students from elementary school through high school graduation, then offer tuition assistance -- is steeped in the idea that lack of funds shouldn’t prevent a child from living out her educational aspirations and career dreams.

New research from the University of Kansas underscores what a big difference having even just $500 in college savings can make for a student. According to a recent study, students with that relatively small amount of college savings are three times more likely to enroll in college and four times more likely to graduate. Developing accounts from a young age could help close the opportunity gap experienced by students who grow up in poverty.

College Savings Accounts (CSAs) play a big role in our plans for the Dreamer Academy, our newest project. All Findley Elementary students will have the opportunity to earn money for college by participating in IHAD programming or complet-ing teacher-determined benchmarks for success, through high school. (We deposit money to celebrate a student having perfect attendance, for example, or taking the PSAT.) Parents can also contribute bonus bucks into their students’ account by engaging in programs designed to equip them with knowledge to help navigate the school system and help their kids succeed.

We are thrilled by the positive community response as we’ve presented our plan for the Dreamer Academy. By leveraging our

expertise in dropout prevention and college access with our ability to build relationships and collaborate with partner organizations, we can definitely foster an amazing culture of college and career success. The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines recognized this, and awarded IHAD a Leadership Grant in the form of a $100,000 matching challenge. Funds from that exciting grant opportunity will go to seed Dreamer Academy CSAs, but we will continue to need your help so they can grow.

With gratitude, Emily W. Hamilton, Executive Director

You can open a College Savings Iowa 529 Plan to help save for your own children and grandchildren, too. Learn more at www.collegesavingsiowa.com. Education is a critical investment in our future.

Did you know?

3 Summer/Fall 2013 | Des Moines “I HAVE A DREAM” Foundation | www.desmoinesdreams.org 2507 University Ave | Des Moines, IA 50311 | 515-271-1976

We Believe Education is a Community Effort Families, donors, volunteers, educators and companies come together

to form our IHAD community

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1. Mountain magic. Four Dreamer girls took their first plane trip to Boulder, CO this summer for the national Dreamer Conference. 2. Pass the syrup, please. The second annual parent-run IHAD Pancake Breakfast once again raised more than $1,300 to send Dreamers to summer camps. 3. Class clowns. Dreamers Noe and Marquez take a break from tutoring in the 7th grade Dreamer Classroom at Callanan Middle School.4. Service project success. Dreamers presented more than 2,000 pens to the “Cornerstone of Hope” orphanage which serves Nigerian kids.5. Hostess with the mostest. Kathy Stuart of the Sweet Dreams Committee poses with 2013 event hostess Patty Cownie. See more on page 4!

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Summer/Fall 2013 | Des Moines “I HAVE A DREAM” Foundation | www.desmoinesdreams.org 4 2507 University Ave | Des Moines, IA 50311 | 515-271-1976

The 2013 Sweet Dreams Committee, chaired by Lynn Graves and Michele Whitty, included the following women: Nancy Bone, Diane Brown, Mary Tiffany Cownie, Paula Duncan, Suzanne Farley, Priscilla Gilbert, Barb Grefe, Ginny Hancock, Beth Koenig, Becky Moomey, Joan Middleton, Paula O’Brien, Kathy Stuart, Cheryl Sypal, Nancy Vernon and Linda Witte. Special thanks to our hostess, Patty Cownie.

Sweet Dreams 2013 raised more than $42,000to support the 2018 King Dreamer Class

Sweet Dreams 2014 A huge thanks to Dream Maker

Mary Kelly for volunteering to host our 2014 Sweet Dreams Event!

Sweet Dreams co-chair Lynn Graves (center) embraces friends Colleen Reed (left) and Mary O’Keefe (right).

Debbie Hubbell, Amanda Reynal and “I Have a Dream” board member Mary Cownie.

2014 Hostess Mary Kelly (right) pictured with fellow Dream Makers Nancy Green (left) and Karen Ahrold (center).

Sweet Dreams raised a record $42,000 in gifts and pledges this year for the 2018 King Dreamer Project. New and increased contributions to this project can be matched by a $225,000 challenge

grant, so there is twice the impact when you give.

5 Summer/Fall 2013 | Des Moines “I HAVE A DREAM” Foundation | www.desmoinesdreams.org 2507 University Ave | Des Moines, IA 50311 | 515-271-1976

Inspired Giving: Special Thanks to Recent Financial BackersThe Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines for a $100,000 Leadership Challenge Grant. IHAD is able to meet this fundraising goal through generous contributions from corporate and private donors. United Way of Central Iowa granted IHAD $66,000 for our Project 4 implementation Variety: The Children’s Charity for a $13,000 investment in IHADBirdies for Charity donors who raised a collective $5,002.38 for our causeThe CBC Foundation for $5,000 in supportCasey’s for $5,000 in sponsorship Wells Fargo for $4,000 to support summer school and our annual college visit J.E. Dunn for a $1,000 contribution toward our programming

Did you know you can make a donation just by selling your stuff on eBay? Clean out your closets for our cause this fall! Search for us at www.givingworks.ebay,com.

Welcome new Board Members

Marc Beltrame is an attorney at BrownWinick. He’ll bring much-needed legal expertise to our board, as well as great enthusiasm for our mission.

Hilary Warner is our new Treasurer, jumping into a leadership role following the promotion of her fellow Kemin Industries colleague Jennifer Barp to Board President.

Summer/Fall 2013 | Des Moines “I HAVE A DREAM” Foundation | www.desmoinesdreams.org 6 2507 University Ave | Des Moines, IA 50311 | 515-271-1976

Des Moines “I Have a Dream” Foundationc/o Drake University2507 University AveDes Moines, IA 50311

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID

DES MOINES, IA PERMIT NO. 2217

Board of Directors

DID YOU KNOW? Students who have some college savings

(even less than $500) are three times more likely to enroll in college and four times more

likely to graduate. Source: University of Kansas School of Social Welfare

Jennifer BarpBoard PresidentIowa Realty

Andy FrantzBoard Vice PresidentPrincipal Financial Group

Grant TaylorBoard SecretaryJE Dunn Construction

Hilary Warner Board TreasurerKemin Industries, Inc.

Marc BeltrameBrownWinnik

Connie Cook Representing the Drake University School of Education

Mary Tiffany Cownie Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs

Tom DelahuntDrake University

Steve GarmanRandstad Technologies

Dr. Kari HensenDes Moines Area Community College

Danielle HermanOPN Architects

Julie KentPrincipal Financial Group

Joan Middleton Sponsor/Community Volunteer

Brett SmithWells Fargo Bank

Sunni Swarbrick Simpson College

Steve WhittyPrincipal Financial Group

Marisa WilliamsBank of the West

Special Thanks:Brennan Buckley, outgoing IHAD Board President and Becky Moomey, our outgoing treasurer.

Mentors Sarah and Brennan Buckley with Dreamer Javion and his grandma at an MLK Essay Contest award ceremony at DMU.