DREAM

Before the season tips off, we’re revisiting the time when Ny Knicks star Jalen Brunson  spent the day at DREAM Mott Haven — reading with our youngest scholars, cooking ratatouille flatbread with our culinary club, and sharing lessons on leadership, perseverance, and purpose with our high schoolers. Thanks to Jalen and the Second Round Foundation DREAM’s Scratch Food Program has expanded to serve all of our seven schools with free, delicious breakfast, lunch, and snacks, all cooked in our state-of-the-art kitchens — fueling minds, bodies, and dreams every day. As Jalen heads into the new NBA season, we’re cheering him on,  and celebrating the impact he’s already made right here at DREAM. 🙌✨ #DREAMBig #JalenBrunson #SecondRoundFoundation #ScratchMade #WholeChild #NBATipOff

From Harlem RBI kid to DREAM counselor: Luis’s journey comes full circle. Luis's story with DREAM began at age 12, when he joined through the Harlem RBI Real Kids program. He became a DREAM Legend in 2017, and went on to study at SUNY Cortland. After graduating, he returned just as DREAM expanded its counseling services to support students pursuing careers right after high school— perfect timing for someone passionate about showing students that success has many definitions. Three years later, Luis continues to give back to the same program that shaped his path. As a Post-Secondary Success Counselor, Luis supports Legends building careers after high school graduation — whether they're entering the workforce, pursuing internships, or getting certified in a skilled trade. He makes it a point to meet students in person as much as possible, believing that staying connected to their communities matters. Among his proudest moments: helping Class of 2023 Legend Nazir Vega secure a full-time facilities role at DREAM and seeing founding graduate Melina Ruiz transform from a shy scholar into a confident Montefiore intern. For Luis, success isn’t just landing a job — it’s about building the confidence and professionalism to thrive in it. Luis defines success as growth: seeing students gain confidence, build resumes, and show up professionally. One of the biggest challenges he helps them overcome is imposter syndrome — something he counters by sharing his own story and reminding them they belong anywhere they choose to be.  His approach to counseling is rooted in trust and empowerment: “I’m here to guide, not dictate,” he says. “They need to build their own sense of responsibility and individuality.” For students unsure about their next steps, his advice is simple: “Don’t be afraid to take risks. Whether it’s trying a new career field or exploring creative passions like streaming or content creation, go all in and give every opportunity 100%.” Luis credits his colleagues in the DREAMLegends team — Matt, Zalika, and Mikasa — for shaping his approach to counseling. With their guidance, he’s grown into a counselor who leads with empathy and intention. He also draws inspiration from his father, whose advice drives him to guide students with care and authenticity. But his greatest motivation comes from his younger brothers, Aiden and Tyler, both students at DREAM Mott Haven. Watching them grow within the same organization that shaped him keeps Luis striving to do more — driven by humility, heart, and a deep commitment to his community.

We’re proud to see DREAM’s food program featured in “Serving Up Change” on CNN alongside our incredible partners at Brigaid and founder Daniel Giusti. Together, we’re proving that healthy, scratch-made meals can fuel learning, equity, and joy — and that every child deserves food that nourishes both body and mind. Tune into the feature here: https://lnkd.in/d_nhr_ga

On September 29, a group of DREAM High School students and Legends visited Apollo Global Management, Inc. for an inside look at careers in finance and the power of partnership. Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to network with Apollo staff, tour the offices, attend a career panel on pathways in finance led by Sarah Veith, and hear an overview of Apollo from Matt Nord and Earl Hunt.  The visit also featured a special presentation from DREAM Co-CEO Eve Colavito, who shared how our growing partnership with Apollo is helping DREAM expand opportunities for the more than 3,000 young people and families we serve across New York City. We are grateful to Apollo for opening their doors and for investing in the next generation of leaders. #WeAreDREAM #CollegeAndCareerSuccess

The countdown is on! In just a few weeks, we’re thrilled to host our 4th Annual DREAM UP — a night dedicated to celebrating our incredible alumni, our Legends. 🌟 Get ready for an unforgettable evening featuring live performances, inspiring conversations with some of our Legends, and a few special surprises along the way. 🎟️ Learn more and grab your tickets now via the link in our bio. #LegendsDREAMUP #DREAMUP2025 #WeAreDREAM

Born and raised in East Harlem, Robert Saltares' journey with DREAM began when he was a young boy playing baseball in our programs. He later returned as an employee, serving as DREAM's (formerly Harlem RBI) Senior Manager of Athletics, Health, and Wellness, where he harnessed the power of sports programming to foster social-emotional development alongside physical well-being. Today, Rob carries this commitment forward in his role as Sport for Good New York Program Officer at Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA (Laureus USA). Rob has supported DREAM in numerous meaningful ways throughout the years. He has helped secure valuable donations for our community, including Chloe Moon Boots, ensuring DREAM students had access to essential resources beyond the classroom. Additionally, he has created vital career pathways for our Legends, most notably connecting a Legend to a prestigious internship at Cartier, where she gained invaluable experience as a Data Solutions Intern. As a dedicated member of the Alumni Council, Rob has championed our fundraising efforts, serving as a top individual contributor and helping to raise over $40,000 through strategic partnerships with Laureus, NBCUniversal, and the NY Giants at DREAM Charter High School. He has also shared his expertise as a leader and role model, moderating an insightful panel at last year's DREAM UP event. We are deeply grateful to Rob for his unwavering commitment to DREAM and for continuing to give back to the community that first shaped and inspired him.

Today marks the start of Principal Appreciation Month—and we have so much to celebrate! 🎉 Across DREAM, from Mott Haven to East Harlem to Highbridge, our 8 incredible principals embody our maxims and values every single day. They work tirelessly to ensure every student is set up to dream big and achieve their greatest aspirations. This month, join us in celebrating them: send love, share moments of joy, and show your support for the leaders at the heart of our schools. They deserve it! #PrincipalAppreciationMonth #WeAreDREAM

We are proud to be named a recipient of the KPMG Corporate Responsibility AI Impact Initiative grant. With this support, DREAM will be able to further integrate AI into both our operations and curriculum — introducing students to AI fundamentals, technical tools, ethical use, safety, and real-world applications. We are excited to partner with KPMG to prepare our young people for the future while strengthening the systems that support our community every day. #WeAreDREAM #AIImpact #EducationInnovation #KPMG

Thank you to the KPMG US Foundation for this support. We’re excited to integrate AI into our work at DREAM and prepare our students for the future.

Last week in East Harlem, DREAM partnered with Feed the Children and the popeyes Foundation as part of the SERVING WITH LOVE® Tour ❤️🍗. Together, we supported 400 families with food, hygiene products, and household essentials. Events like these remind us of the importance of community partnerships and the impact they can have for families. We’re grateful to our partners and volunteers who made this day possible. #WeAreDREAM #ServingWithLove #CommunityInAction