REACHING OUR DREAMS (ROD)
REACHING OUR DREAMS is a motivational program which invites prominent community leaders to share their inspirational stories with students. The invitees speak of the personal challenges they have overcome that have consequently served as a platform to empower their self-esteem.
As an added incentive, students are invited to write an essay based on the speaker’s presentation, detailing the impact or influence it had on their own life. SLA’s education committee selects award-winning essays culminating in an awards event with parents, students and educators celebrating education and determination as the keys to personal and professional success.
The Youth are challenged to create a new reality in which they are not a victim of their environments; they are the authors – with the realization that it takes hard work.
Community leaders, role models, from varied professions task the students to be fully engaged in their studies. These leaders know from personal experience how life brings trials and difficulties; yet, they found ways to transform them into opportunities.
Youth Awardees recognize the impact of the Reaching Our Dreams. Now, they have an action plan – a road map.
Parents/Guardians come to the program to strengthen their skills, as they navigate through different school systems and developmental stages of their children. The Parents Take Action (PTA) provides them with up-to-date tools.
SERVED
STUDENTS: 137,400
PARENTS/GUARDIANS: 4,000
YOUTH AWARDEES: 1,500
COMMUNITY LEADERS: 500
HISTORY
In 1998 Reaching Our Dreams was launched at the Thomas Edison Elementary School in Union City, New Jersey. It was a response to the high school dropout rates of Latinos. The youth needed to be introduced to a new way of thinking and not be trapped by their current circumstances. Student from 3rd and 1 grades have participated in the program.
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
“I feel like I can achieve my dreams no matter what. Save Latin America has helped me because they have given me the courage to believe in myself. I feel like I have reached my goals by winning this award and believing in myself.”
Areea Ahmed
“I am proud of myself. I achieved something which will make my mother proud. This feels like I won a Grammy.”
Karina Garcia
“I can push my limits more than I thought. Receiving this award tells me I am important!”
Sara Rodriguez
“I feel I must have a more positive attitude towards my education. I want to be more positive about things I want to accomplish. Sometimes I feel like I want to give up, and I would think Negative. After learning about Save Latin America., I felt more positive and instead of giving up, I just tried harder. Save Latin America made me have a positive attitude towards my dreams and education.
Diana Ali Benitez
Spanish 
English