This isOur Story
WhyThe Dream Academy Exists?
Despite the vibrancy of its residents, and deep rooted traditional family values, Salinas has gained national notoriety for its violence. Crime rates in Salinas, are among the highest in California. A 2015 report from the Violence Policy Center ranked Salinas number one in youth murder rate in the state, with 82% of victims being Hispanic, 87% gang related. The East Salinas community in particular experiences a disproportionate rate of gang violence and poverty that has led to tensions with local law enforcement. As noted in the New York Times, “People in California generally know two things about this agriculture city [Salinas] nestled among lettuce fields east of Monterey’s beaches and hotels: John Steinbeck was born here, and it has a big problem with gangs”.
The approximate population of Salinas is 160,000 and about 40% of those residents live in East Salinas, where the population density rivals that of Calcutta, India. Over one in four people live below the federal poverty line. More than 80% of high school and middle school students in East Salinas qualify for free or reduced lunch programs based on their low family income levels. The percentage of adults in East Salinas with less than a high school education is nearly four times the California average. About 12% of Salinas residents hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 30% nationwide.
In 2014, Forbes Magazine ranked Salinas as the second least educated city in the United States. Ironically, 30 minutes away, Monterey, California is among the most affluent communities in the state and home to elite graduate schools. Similarly, San Jose, California- one hour away- is listed as the seventh most educated city in the United States. A worldwide study conducted by UNICEF demonstrated that educational inequity such as the phenomena occurring in East Salinas, triples or even quadruples the risk of experiencing conflict. Furthermore, parents are a child’s first teacher, but since almost half of East Salinas’ residents are immigrant workers, many of whom came to the U.S with little formal education, it is difficult for them to guide their children through the school system or even help with homework.
Dream Academy was established to counteract these harsh realities. Dream Academy strives to fill the gaps that exist in the educational system and to shine a light on an empowering path for our youth. Dream Academy provides youth with life changing experiences, while exposing them to opportunities that will equip them to improve their circumstances and contribute to a vibrant community.
The Dream Academy believes that the youth of Salinas can be inspired to dream and empowered to act. Within a supportive and uplifting environment, youth can reach their full potential and become aware of the endless possibilities for their life. Dream Academy motivates youth by presenting inspirational examples of others that have overcome significant obstacles in life. We guide and expose youth to higher education pathways and careers that will allow them to break the cycle of poverty and live the dream their immigrant parents set out for them in coming to this country. To bring about positive change to the Salinas, Dream Academy aims to provide youth with the necessary tools, knowledge, and experiences necessary to pursue a post high school education and ensure a higher standard of living for themselves and their families.
Impact
Throughout the last several years, in addition to taking in all of the amazing tourist attractions in Washington D.C., New York City, and Boston, our students have been able to witness the last three presidential inaugurations, experience a briefing inside the Obama White House and United Nations, visit the United State Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta inside the Pentagon, and experience first-class tours and student panels at Harvard, Yale, Columbia, MIT, Georgetown, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, CSUMB, Santa Clara and Stanford University.
OurMission
