Board of Directors

Welcome

Mission:

The “I Have A Dream” Foundation - Milwaukee (IHDF) mission is to empower students from historically marginalized communities to thrive at school, at home, and in the community by providing individualized social, emotional, academic, and family support from first grade to first job, along with guaranteed post-secondary tuition assistance. 

Vision:

Our dream is a world where every child has equal access to the educational and career opportunities that will ignite their innate potential.

A National Movement:

The national organization, founded in 1981 by entrepreneur Eugene Lang, began with one class of sixth graders in East Harlem and has grown to impact the lives of more than 20,000 students in nine states and New Zealand. The program supports youth from elementary school through post-secondary education, resulting in students who earn bachelor’s degrees at a rate over 3x that of their peers.

Our 2Gen Approach: 

In recognition of the robust support that youth and families from historically marginalized communities deserve and need to flourish, a bold new iteration of IHDF was launched in Milwaukee during the 2022-23 school year in strategic partnership with Milwaukee Academy of Science, a highly regarded K-12 school, serving youth from across the city of Milwaukee. 

To help ensure that the newest class of 100+ “Dreamers” (youth served by IHDF) receive the encouragement, support, access, and resources they need to succeed in school, at home, and in the community, “I Have A Dream” Foundation - Milwaukee (IHDF-MKE) has taken a two-generational (2Gen) approach to service provision. Fundamental to this approach is long-term wrap-around support for families to help bridge equity and resource gaps, and promote stability, well-being, and thriving from the time students are in 1st grade until they finish post-secondary schooling and enter their first job as adults.

Dreamers also participate in in-school and out-of-school programs facilitated by IHDF-MKE partners and staff that enhance their academic and social-emotional learning, and well-being, and set the stage for post-secondary success. Scholarships to vocational, 2-year, and 4-year post-secondary programs have been committed; and family stability, health, and youth enrichment committees composed of regional experts and connectors are assembled to help ensure that family and Dreamer needs are met.