Baltimore's Youth Dreamers, Inc. Selected to Receive Youth Action Grant

Date: April 30, 2011

Summary: A cadre of Baltimore middle school students and their teacher, Maryland Writing Project teacher-consultant Kristina Berdan, dreamed that they could help their urban neighborhood with a house where young kids could be mentored and participate in fun activities—and they made that dream a reality. Now a special grant will keep the house and its programs running through 2012.

Excerpt from Article

Youth Dreamers, Inc. was selected as a Starbucks Shared Planet Youth Action Grant recipient toward its Dream House, which employs and serves youth from kindergarten through 12th grade in programs after school hours. This unique youth-run youth center provides a place for young people to express themselves, accomplish their goals, have meaningful mentoring jobs, serve in their community, participate in the Board of Directors, and have opportunities to build youth voice.

"By mobilizing young people to be change makers in their communities, we're tapping into a generation eager to be a force for good in their own neighborhoods," said Cecilia Carter, Starbucks vice president of Global Diversity and Community Affairs. "We hope our Youth Action Grants will enable a new generation of creative problem-solvers to make a meaningful impact in their communities while gaining valuable life skills."

Watch the Video on Youth Dreamers

Watch Youth Dreamers on Starbucks Shared Planet Youth Action Grants.