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Dreamer Alums

Danilo Rodriguez

Class of 90

Melissa Ashton

Class of 2003

Stephanie Sosa

Class of 2004

Saul Arvelo

Class of 2004

Fenton Joseph

Class of 99

Juan Martinez

Class of 81

Zairia Benjamin

Class of 2003

Jamie Ron

Class of 2004

Danilo Rodriguez

Class of 90

Dreamer Cohort: Rohatyn Class, 1986

Which grade were you in?:  Grade 7

What did you think about “I Have A Dream” – New York when you were in school?  Initially I was unaware of what the program was, it became evident as the first year progressed, and I found myself in awe of the opportunity that presented itself.

What High School did you attend, and what year did you graduate?  Brooklyn Tech, 1992

Did you go to college/secondary school? If so, where and what did you study? Yes, Columbia University for Undergrad and Columbia Business School for Graduate school

Did you graduate college (2-year, 4-year, or vocational school)? If so, what school and what did you study? Columbia University, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics/ Columbia Business School, MBA

What are you doing now?  I’ve just returned to the United States after working six years in the Middle East (United Arab Emirates).  I’ve come back with my family and am currently settling back in to the city.

How would you explain the “I Have A Dream” program to someone who had never heard of it?  It’s a program that provides a path to a college education to youth that would otherwise not have one.

How did being a Dreamer affect you?  It’s the biggest opportunity I received in my life, it was my way out of a life that didn’t have many positive outcomes.  It was an opportunity I knew I needed to take full advantage of as it would be my only shot at the education I deserved.  It set me on the path to who I am and where I find myself today.

What were some of your favorite memories about being a Dreamer?  Mainly the time spent with the Rohatyns, my sponsors.  It gave me a glimpse into a different part of the city, and it showed me that New York, and the rest of the world for that matter, wasn’t just my current environment, there was something more to explore, and different people to interact with.

Would you be where you are today without “I Have A Dream” – New York? Why or why not?  As I mentioned, I Have A Dream set me on a completely new and different path, one that I could not imagine given my circumstances at the time.  It opened up opportunities that I would otherwise not pursue for it would be, as I imagined it, out of my grasp.  I think the most important lesson I received from the program was not to limit myself or my thinking; to think big, and to be able to set big goals.  Even though they may seem out of reach, there’s always a way to reach them.

What does your family think of “I Have A Dream” – New York?  My family understands that I was involved in a program that helped me through college, but I don’t think they fully grasp the impact that it has had in my life.  Somehow I would like for them to know how important this program was for me.

Melissa Ashton

Class of 2003

Year joined program/which grade were you in? 1996 / 10th grade

What did you think about “I Have A Dream” – New York when you were in school? I was excited to join because it was a program that was geared at preparing me for college.

What High School did you attend, and what year did you graduate? George Westinghouse Vocational and Technical High School, I graduated in 1999.

Did you go to college/secondary school? If so, where and what did you study?  I graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College, my major was International Business and my minor was Political Science.

What are you doing now? I am employed by New York City Department of Social Services, Human Resources Administration and I am a supervisor with the division of Fair Hearing.

How would you explain the “I Have A Dream” program to someone who had never heard of it? IHDF-NY was an after school college prep [and] mentoring program that offered tutoring services.  IHDF-NY also gave us an opportunity to obtain summer and winter jobs with prestigious companies. This taught us the value of employment and taking pride in our careers.  In addition to mentoring, tutoring and job development the IHAD program took us on various trips such as skiing and basketball games, some of us even had the once in a life time opportunity of going to Africa.  This program kept us focused and motivated because we were surrounded by positive people who only wanted the best for us.

How did being a Dreamer affect you? It affected me in more ways than one.  I started in the 10th grade so at that time I was more concerned about hanging out with my friends and having a social life, but joining the program reshaped my thought process and I realized that my education was what was most important.  The program gave me a better sense of who I was and taught me that being persistent and dedicated was the key to turning my dream into a reality.

What were some of your favorite memories about being a Dreamer? I remember Mr. Ronald Jones helping me with my math homework assignments, our weekly Tuesday Dreamer meetings, traveling to Africa and Costa Rica and our annual Christmas parties at Tudor Investments when it was located in Manhattan.

Would you be where you are today without “I Have A Dream” – New York? Yes, I would say so because my mother was a serious lady who constantly stayed on top of things and she pushed me really hard, but I must say IHDF-NY assisted her along the way.  It reminds me of the saying “It takes a village to raise a child.”

What does your family think of “I Have A Dream” – New York? My family believes that there was no other program like the I Have A Dream program and we will forever be grateful.

Stephanie Sosa

Class of 2004

Dreamer Cohort: Melrose I

Year joined program/Which grade were you in?: 3rd grade

What did you think about “I Have A Dream” – New York when you were in school? I was very appreciative of “I Have A Dream.”  I had somewhere to go after school and during the summer.  There was always something exciting going on and I never wanted to miss a day.

What High School did you attend, and what year did you graduate?  Talent Unlimited, Class of 2008

Did you go to college/secondary school? If so, where and what did you study? Siena College, Social Work Class of 2012 and New York University- Wagner School of Public Service, Master of Urban Planning Class of 2014

What are you doing now? I graduated with my master’s degree in May and finishing up my community development fellowship at Fordham Bedford Housing until the end of June.

How would you explain the “I Have A Dream” program to someone who had never heard of it? The “I Have a Dream” program is a network of people who believe that children in need have the right to decide who they want to be in the future.  “I Have A Dream” provides Dreamers with the resources they need in order for them to benefit from the education system as much as possible and introduces them to a new family of people who supports and believes in them.

How did being a Dreamer affect you? Being a Dreamer raised my self-esteem and taught me that I can be whatever I want to be as long as I work for it.  I also gained a lot of academic and social skills that have allowed me to excel as a student and professional.

What were some of your favorite memories about being a Dreamer? I loved spending time and growing with my cohort.  We had our ups and downs, but we became a family and always supported each other.

Would you be where you are today without “I Have A Dream” – New York? Why or why not? I believe that I would have gone to college and graduate school, but my situation would have completely different.  The level of support that I received while being in the program allowed me to accomplish a lot more than I probably would have been able to on my own.

What does your family think of “I Have A Dream” – New York? My family is appreciative of the program and all of the opportunities that it has provided for me.

Are you still involved with “I Have A Dream” – New York? How? I am still involved with “I Have a Dream.”  I have spoken to Dreamers at different events about my experiences with the program.  I have also met with Dreamer Alumni in the past.

Saul Arvelo

Class of 2004

Dreamer Cohort:  Ravenswood I

Year joined program/Which grade were you in?: 3rd Grade; 1993

What did you think about “I Have A Dream” – New York when you were in school?  The program was an “academic training ground” that supplemented the education that I was receiving in school.  Because of the [investment] of time and energy from our mentors, I was able to excel in school.  IHDF-NY also provided a safe place for us to be creative

What High School did you attend, and what year did you graduate?   Long Island City High School Class of 2004.

Did you graduate college? If so, what school and what did you study?  I graduated from Hofstra University with a BA in Communications.

What are you doing now?  I am actually in the middle of an exciting transition in my career.   I had been working at the Disney ABC Television Group as a Talent Acquisition Coordinator.  However, my true passion lied within television production and development, and I am finally able to make that dream a reality, as I am now working as a Production Manager for NBC Universal’s Daytime programming.

How would you explain the “I Have A Dream” program to someone who had never heard of it?  IHDF-NY is a true year-round youth development organization that keeps kids on the right track academically, while supplementing the education that they receive with amazing life lessons and experiences.  They expose the kids that they serve to an unlimited amount of opportunities that they otherwise wouldn’t have direct access to.

How did being a Dreamer affect you?  Being a Dreamer affected me in huge ways.  It provided a platform for me to display my craft and to be successful.   Ever since I was a young kid, I always had a passion and interest in all things media-related, from acting and singing on stage, to production and writing.   The I Have A Dream Program helped develop my social skills and confidence to actively pursue those interests.  They also put me in touch with key industry figures and taught me how to network with professionals.  As a result, I landed key internships during my college years with VH1 and ESPN, where I helped produce the annual ESPYS, which in turn, led to a successful early career at both ABC and NBC.

What were some of your favorite memories about being a Dreamer?  The bond that my friends and I made with our Program Directors, Staff, and sponsors is something that will always stand out.  We were incredibly lucky to have so many positive role models in our lives; something that definitely wasn’t the case for other kids in my neighborhood who weren’t a part of the program.  I specifically remember the college trips with our Program Director, Thierry Cazeau.  Mr. C (as I’ve always liked to call him) simply knew how to get us so rallied up and excited about the whole experience.  I also remember going out to lunch with our sponsor, Mr. Friedman.  We did this a few times during the years, as he would check in on our academic progress and see what kinds of goals we were setting for ourselves.  Mr. Friedman held us accountable.  He even came up to have lunch with me at Hofstra University;  a gesture that I’ll never forget.

What does your family think of “I Have A Dream” – New York?  My family is forever grateful for the IHDF-NY.  They entrusted the program with me at such a young age,

Are you still involved with “I Have A Dream” – New York? How?  I am definitely still involved with IHDF-NY.  I’ve served as an amanbassador and spoken on their behalf at various events and fundraisers.  I also recently participated in a career day event for the Dreamers at the Ravenswood II Program, as well as served as a translator for the Spanish-speaking parents at a FAFSA Application session

Fenton Joseph

Class of 99

Name: Fenton Joseph

Dreamer Cohort: Old Westbury; Jefry Rosmarin, Sponsor

What did you think about “I Have A Dream” – New York when you were in school? To sum up my impression of the “Dreamers” in one word, it would be: fortunate. This may seem counterintuitive, given the backgrounds of the youth that the program typically caters to; however, I knew that the Dreamers had more than just tuition assistance going for them. They had people who cared about them so much that they donated their time and money to ensure their wellbeing and success. That is such a blessing.

What High School did you attend, and what year did you graduate? Westbury Senior High School, 1999.

What are you doing now? I currently help manage the pro audio design firm that I co-founded in 2010, Ronin Applied Sciences. We design and manufacture microphones, microphone pre-amplifiers, and other high-end audio technology. I am also a communications professional specializing in branding. Above and beyond all other endeavors, I am planning my wedding for March of 2015!

How would you explain the “I Have A Dream” program to someone who had never heard of it? The “I Have A Dream” Foundation is an amazing organization dedicated to helping youth in generally low income communities achieve their potential, through mentorship (from elementary to high school and beyond) and tuition assistance. But it’s so much more than that. IHDF-NY works to give youth what they really need to be all they can be: relationship.

How did being a Dreamer affect you? I think that being a Dreamer really focused my desire to give back in some way. I have always been altruistic, you know, the kind of guy who helps old ladies across the street. Just the other day I saw someone transporting a mattress on the roof of his car and it had fallen off. I ran over to help him put it back on. He didn’t have rope, so I don’t know if it fell off again when he drove off but I did what I could! The selflessness expressed by my own mentors definitely helped point my altruism in the direction of youth. I remember the talks I had with my mentors and how much I appreciated having someone to talk to, someone who was just willing to listen. Sometimes, lending an ear can make all the difference to a young person. I’ve been told that I am a great listener. I’m sure being a Dreamer had something to do with that.

What were some of your favorite memories about being a Dreamer? Raphael Santiago was our on-site program coordinator. Many of us affectionately referred to him as Santiago, and he really helped bring the program to life. I remember walking down the “dead end” hall where his little office was tucked away. It was the only office in that hallway, so only the Dreamers went back there. It was kind of special to have a little place to go to. We loved spending time there chatting with him, so much so that he often had to kick us out and remind us that we needed to go to our classes! I still consider Santiago a very good friend.

Another fond memory was participating in a tutoring/mentorship program at a local elementary school. After school was out, a few Dreamers would stop by Powell’s Lane Elementary School in Westbury and spend time with some really special children. We would help them with homework and partake in fun activities. This was the first time that I felt the joy of working with children. They were always excited to see us, and we were just as excited to see them. I had the pleasure of participating in this program for about two years. I don’t remember the names and faces, to be honest, but I will never forget the feeling of joy that comes with helping a child. There’s nothing quite like it.

Are you still involved with “I Have A Dream” – New York? How? Yes I am. In January of 2014, I became a member of the Junior Board of Directors for the IHDF-NY chapter. It has been extremely humbling and inspirational to meet the people who donate their time and energy to this great organization, and I sincerely look forward to contributing to IHDF-NY’s success, as well as spending quality time with the current class of Dreamers.

Juan Martinez

Class of 81

Name:  Juan D. Martínez, Esq.

Dreamer Cohort:  Eugene M. Lang

Year joined program/Which grade were you in?: 1981/6th grade

What High School did you attend, and what year did you graduate? The Bronx High School of Science, Class of 1987.

Did you go to college/secondary school? If so, where and what did you study?Swarthmore College, B.A. in Philosophy, Class of 1991.

What are you doing now? I am a Foreign Service Officer/Diplomat in the U.S. Department of State.

How would you explain the “I Have A Dream” program to someone who had never heard of it? The IHAD Program provides academic support and resources that “fill in the gap” present for many students in disadvantage communities that help to open doors to educational opportunities that might not otherwise be available.

How did being a Dreamer affect you? Being a Dreamer has truly been one of the most positive experiences in my life. I have been incredibly fortunate to have had the educational opportunities afford to me, but, also to have been able to form life-long bonds with my sponsor Gene Lang, Project Coordinator Johnny Rivera, and several of my fellow “Original Dreamers,” even more than thirty years later.

What were some of your favorite memories about being a Dreamer? Getting together with fellow classmates/Dreamers at our Community-Based Organization, the Youth Action Program (now YouthBuild USA: http://www.youthaction-nyc.org/2.html), after school and during the summer.

Would you be where you are today without “I Have A Dream” – New York? Why or why not? While it’s likely that I would still be where I am today without the “I Have A Dream” program, it would have been a decidedly more difficult path.

What does your family think of “I Have A Dream” – New York? My family have been supporters and fans of the “I Have A Dream” program, as a whole, since its inception.

Zairia Benjamin

Class of 2003

Zairia Benjamin says “I Have A Dream” – New York was there for her when she needed it most.

Her family was displaced from their Chelsea apartment, was left homeless, and sought refuge in a shelter in Brownsville, Brooklyn. She was 12 years old, and had been achieving better grades since enrolling in “I Have A Dream” – New York’s Chelsea-Elliott I program. “I Have A Dream” was a lifeline.

“The program was monumental for me,” she says. “They sent me letters, making sure I was aware of what was going on in Chelsea, even if I did not have an opportunity to travel in to the program. When I did travel to one of their events, they always made sure I got home safely.”

She recalls several of her 90 Chelsea-Elliott I peers leaving the program when their families moved away. But she did not want to follow that path, and attempted to return as often as possible.

“When I moved around, it was difficult to stay involved in school. I had a lot on my plate and had to grow up very fast, and so I started messing up in school, and cutting class.”

What shined through, and led her back onto a straighter path, was the compassion and outreach displayed by “I Have A Dream”. When she couldn’t afford books or supplies, IHDF-NY purchased them. The program even provided her family with blankets.

The program’s importance went beyond teaching Zairia academic skills, as staff members and volunteers fostered her awareness that she could create a better opportunity – and future – for herself. She developed lifetime friendships with Dreamers who wanted her to succeed. Their support, guidance, and the tuition assistance offered by IHDF-NY shepherded her to higher education.

Zairia attended Marist College in Poughkeepsie, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work in 2007. The following year, she followed her dream at Fordham University, where she soon received a Master’s in Social Work.

She has since held positions that allow her to help others, whether by providing home visits to individuals with HIV or AIDS, offering crisis counseling to the victims of elder abuse, or delivering care as an emergency room social worker. She currently works at Lincoln Hospital in The Bronx.

“The experience I had with ‘I Have A Dream’ definitely prepared me for my career,” she says. “Sometimes the neighborhoods in which we grow up are not encouraging, do not help us to move forward. It was nice to be part of a program where you are receiving something but also have opportunities to help other people out.”

That desire to give back, she says, is what will drive her for the rest of her life.

“My earliest memories of ‘I Have A Dream’ always involve the volunteers,” she says. “They made me feel important because they were people who were invested in us. It means so much, and I know I am a product of their investment. It makes you realize how much you were given, and how much a person needs to do well.”

Jamie Ron

Class of 2004

Dreamer Cohort: Ravenswood I

What did you think about “I Have A Dream” – New York when you were in school? Growing up, I wasn’t allowed to hang out in the streets alone with my friends. The “I Have A Dream” Program was my only opportunity to see my friends, therefore as a child, I looked forward to going to “The Program” afterschool and during the summer.

What High School did you attend, and what year did you graduate?  My parents and I moved to Florida when I was 12 years old. I attended John I. Leonard High School in Greenacres, FL

Did you go to college/secondary school? If so, where and what did you study? I attended Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL and received my BBA degree with a major in finance.

What are you doing now? I work at Morgan Stanley as a Registered Client Service Associate.

How would you explain the “I Have A Dream” program to someone who had never heard of it? I introduce the program as an organization that focuses on creating an opportunity for youth to attain a higher education.

How did being a Dreamer affect you?Being a Dreamer has affected my life immensely. It’s a part of who I am, the reason I am on path to the quality of life my ancestors fought for me to have. They brought my family to the land of opportunity and that is exactly what I received through being a Dreamer.

What were some of your favorite memories about being a Dreamer? Some of my favorite memories as a Dreamer were going to Morry’s Camp, attending Mets games with my dad, learning to swim at the Boys & Girls club and taking field trips.