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It’s been about 3 years since I graduated from dream family and I can confidently say I still think and talk about my experience at dream on a daily basis. The word family is a word I don’t use loosely but DREAM was literally my family. From getting late passes from Ms.Tirado every morning because I wanted to get breakfast before school to walking into Ms.Hales beautiful music room DREAM was my home. Every teacher and student there treated me like family and truly showed that they wanted the best for me in the future. DREAM introduced me to what I want to do for the rest of my life with the musical Into The Woods and I have never had as much fun putting together a production like I did that one. And although I wasn’t the best at sports Real Kids was a time for me to always feel like I was a part of a team. I attended the school for about 6 years and made relationships I’ll have forever. I know DREAM will always have my back, if it’s Mr. Kaller, Ms. Hale, Ms. Canario or even my coach Genisis I’ll always have a piece of my heart at DREAM.

-A.C

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Playing in Harlem RBI ; kept me off the streets ; gave me a second home ; another family & wonderful memories

I will forever cherish all the great times I had from the Field to the Club House even away at Camp

-Evelis G

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Growing up in a tough neighborhood/school zone I was always assumed to follow the wrong path of life. I was suppose to be a statistic. The girl who didn't graduate, the girl.. etc. Since 10th grade I have been enrolled in DREAM and it was the foundation I needed to be the person I am today. I am grateful for the experience. the laughs, the wins, the losses and specially the friends I made.

Kathleen Ruiz

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Creating strong individuals off the field 

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Creating strong individuals off the field 

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18 years ago I reached out to DREAM- formerly Harlem RBI- with the intention of joining as a participant only to realize that I was too old. However the opportunity to join as a summer coach gave me an opportunity that I still cherish to this day. It allowed me to teach the young participants the basics of baseball but also teach them about building strong character. I was fortunate enough to enroll my nephew into the REAL Kids program that same year and he eventually spent 6 years with the program. It taught him all about teamwork and accountability, something that he uses in his professional life today as an NYPD Officer. DREAM certainly has helped the lives of many by giving them something to believe in and providing the tools to make it into a reality.

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Marilyne Tirado

8 years ago I joined the DREAM Family. It was my first job in the education community and I am so blessed it was at HarlemRBI/DREAM. I have grown to consider our DREAM families and the community as family. As a parent, I have loved nothing more than to help our families with anything. From a question about their scholar's education to assistance with a personal family issue. I am always here to help support families as well as my DREAM Staff Family. I joke that I spend more time at DREAM and East Harlem than my own community but it's true! No matter where I go DREAM will always be home. It's also where I met my husband of 8 years!!

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DREAM is caring.

DREAM is community.

DREAM is my first internship.

DREAM is my first FT job.

DREAM is where I decided I’m going for grad school.

DREAM is where I want to give back to the community.

The picture is my last day of internship and when my DREAM starts...

Wai Phyo

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The picture attached is from my very first summer as a REAL Kids coach back in the Summer of 2009. Fast forward 12 years, I'm now managing my own site for 250 plus youth every summer in the South Bronx!

I have truly enjoyed being able to be a part of our youth and families lives over the years.  I have watched so many youth go through our programs and head into college.   It has been extra rewarding being able to reconnect and employ former youth to give them the opportunity to give back to their community.

Over the years I have gained many life time friendships and relationships and even a godson.  DREAM has and will always hold a special place in my heart and I look forward to continuing my work for years to come.

Maleck Bryant

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Harlem RBI (now Dream) provided me a positive place to play the sport that I love. As a young man, growing up in East Harlem was not as glamorous as it appears to be now. There was a ton of opportunities for impressionable youth to get drawn into negativity but RBI was and continues to be a place of refuge and safety for our community. The role this organization has played in my life has no measure. It has motivated me to be that positive beacon to the youth of the community and provide them the same opportunities that was once given to me. #30andcounting

Jason Polanco

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I played softball for ten years and my dad was my little league coach. When he passed away, I stopped playing. I was looking for a reason to return to the sport and found DREAM during a time of career transition. I came to DREAM because of softball and stayed because of the wonderful friendships and working relationships I've gained here.