The €śInvest-in-Success€ť program is the cornerstone of D.R.E.A.M. This three-year, comprehensive institute targets students in their sophomore year of high school and strategically develops students€™ knowledge of both personal finance and investing concluding at the end of the students€™ senior year in high school.
The €śInvest In Success€ť Experience
The €śInvest-in-Success€ť program has four main components:
I. $tart $mart
II. Finance Academy
III. Mentorship
IV. Community Service
The program initiates annually every September and concludes in June, coinciding with our students€™ academic school terms. Program courses will be offered one Saturday per month. Students are required to attend all sessions to ensure maximum benefit from participation in the program is achieved.
I. $tart $mart
As part of participation in the program, our scholars are afforded the opportunity to open savings and individual brokerage accounts to begin walking the path towards financial liberation.
II. Finance Academy
Annually, scholars participate in 9 monthly sessions where they learn concepts from our unique, comprehensive, and culturally-enriched curriculum. During the summer months, scholars are required to attend and participate in summer educational/enrichment programs.
III. Mentorship
Each scholar will be assigned a mentor upon admittance to the program. Mentors will assist and guide scholars as many of them begin to take control of their financial lives for the first time.
IV. Community Service
D.R.E.A.M. believes in the mantra, €śTo whom much is given, much is expected€ť. As a result, during the course of their participation in the program our scholars are required to fulfill a select amount of volunteer hours in their communities.
Why Participate in €śInvest in Success€ť?
Expert Guidance: Our program provides students with knowledge, information, and skills to understand the core competencies of saving, investing, and managing one€™s credit.
Mentoring: The mentor will serve as a guide and sage to answer questions about finance, college preparation, and any other topics the scholars may wish to address.
€śHands-on€ť Learning: Participants in the program will have several opportunities to practice budgeting, saving, and investing real money through competitions and simulations.
Financial Aid Roadmap: The college financial aid process can be a daunting task for many families. D.R.E.A.M. staff works with scholars to navigate and clarify this process and assist families with locating the necessary funds to finance sky rocketing college expenses.
Network of D.R.E.A.M.€™ers: As part of our alumni network, program participants have access to networks that will be vital as information and knowledge can be shared amongst graduates of the program, and subsequently shared within our communities at large. This continued networking further advances our goal of eliminating the wealth gap between low-income, urban citizens and the broader population.
Selection Process &
Eligibility Requirements