Dreams for Kids empowers young people of all abilities through dynamic leadership programs and life-changing activities that inspire them to fearlessly pursue their dreams and compassionately change the world.
Dreams for Kids was born on December 24, 1989, in a small room inside a homeless shelter in Chicago, in a place called Clara’s House. A holiday party for 54 homeless children and their families has grown into an international day of giving and hope for communities around the world. Today, Holiday for Hope is the largest annual holiday event of its kind in the world, serving over 1,200 children in need in the Chicago area alone, as well as thousands more internationally.
Dreams for Kids programs have expanded and grown over the years. Extreme Recess!began in 1996, and brings children with physical and developmental challenges from the sidelines of life and gives them opportunities to participate in the activities of their dreams, such as kayaking, water and snow skiing, sled hockey, horseback riding, basketball, rock climbing, sailing, and more.
By the year 2006, Dreams for Kids programs had impacted the lives of over 25,000 children. However, it was when the story of the organization was written that a global movement began. Kiss of a Dolphin, the story of Dreams for Kids, written by Tom Tuohy, and published in November 2006, tells this magical story and also the stories of inspiration and generosity which have made Dreams for Kids the organization it is today.
Dreambirds, came into being at the Kiss of a Dolphin formal introduction at the Maui Writers Conference. A former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, Jim Hayhurst, stepped from the audience and pledged to repaint the U.S. Patriots, the only civilian air show jet team in the country and to rename them the Dreambirds – to fly for peace, for the children of the world, and for the global expansion of Dreams for Kids.
Dolphin Spirit Programs now reach across the globe to impact children of all abilities, and of every gender, race, religious and socio-economic background. These programs seek to eliminate the isolation of children, empower them to live the life they have imagined, and inspire them to live a life of service.
Dream Leaders, is a youth leadership program which works with schools and youth organizations, in partnership with government and social agencies, bringing diverse groups of young people together to work on cooperative projects which serve the local and world communities.
The Dreams for Kids Global Village is a powerful and innovative way for youth and community organizations to “Adopt a Dream” and eliminate the isolation of children with disabilities in their local neighborhood, and provide freedom and education for child laborers in developing countries.
This generation of youth is the generation we have been waiting for to completely change the world. If we all come together, as one compassionate force, and work to support and empower our youth in every way possible, we will be led by an army of goodwill ambassadors - and the future for our global family will be a dream come true.
To see more about Tom Tuohy, click here. |
