Additional Projects and Collaborations
Project Dream Green
In 2010, Dreaming Out Loud, in cooperation with Groundwork Anacostia River DC, developed and implemented “Project Dream Green,” a youth employment and training program. Participants aged 14-21 participated in environmental projects including energy conservation and maintenance of parks and trails.
Aya Accelerator
The AyaAccelerator is designed to help micro-entrepreneurs whose mission accords with that of Dreaming Out Loud. By partnering with both funding platform Clovest and Kiva Microfunds, DOL is able to provide even more opportunities for youth to “dream out loud.”
Aya Youth Cooperative
The Aya Youth Cooperative builds off DOL’s initial mission of character and leadership development by striving to provide a space for youth to gain work, entrepreneurial, and service skills.
DOL has established an urban farm at Blind Whino, which will allow 12 youth participants to gain valuable skills and development.
Produce Plus Program
In a blog post about the community partnerships, Bradshaw cited PPP as the key to much of the success DOL saw in 2014. The program helps District residents who are recipients of federal assistance programs by providing them with $10 per household per week to spend on fresh fruit and vegetables at the farmer’s markets. PPP functions as an incredible way to give access to fresh produce for low-income communities.
About the Author: Marisa Weidner is a graduate of The College of William and Mary. She has volunteered as a teacher in Belize, and in homeless shelters in the United States. Marisa chronicles her explorations of DC on her blog, The Curated City.