Keeping Dreams
Alive
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"The
Realities For Children’s Keeping Dreams Alive program encourages abused
children in the social services system to pursue their dreams – providing
an invitation and opportunity to dream fearlessly and inspire all children – especially
those who have endured the betrayal and atrocities of childhood abuse,
to keep their dreams alive and ultimately become triumphant over their
abusive pasts.
The Triumph Awards are designed to recognize and honor abused children who have not only survived the atrocities of their childhood abuse but also managed to triumph over them personally, socially and academically. However, the ability to Triumph over child abuse is difficult and far too many children struggle to do so. The one commonality of all our Triumph Award recipients is that they believed in themselves and never gave up on their dreams.
The Keeping Dreams Alive program is designed to encourage children that may be struggling in their current situation to both identify and believe in their dreams. Many of the children we fight to protect fall into the survival mode mentality and are more focused on where they will be living next week than on what they want to do when they grow up. We believe that if a child loses their dreams, they lose much more than the joy of pursuing them, they lose the innocent hope and excitement that is an inherent right of being a child. Children in placement may need their dreams more than anyone, and if we are to see children Triumph they must first dream that they can.
In the ‘Keeping Dreams Alive’ program we are bringing excitement to what is generally a difficult time in a child’s life, by allowing children to express their dreams. Children ages 6 through 15 years of age are nominated by our Affiliate Youth Agencies that directly serve these abused and at-risk children. Each child must provide two essay’s entitled:‘When I Grow Up My Dream Is’ and ‘My Dream for Today Is’.
The first is to encourage them to pursue their dreams for a better future and the second, if selected, will be granted to illustrate that dreams can come true, they are worth pursuing and there are people out there that care enough about them to help make this happen.
These children must have cases currently open with the Larimer County Department of Human Services and, if chosen, will have their dreams granted on April 20th, 2012 at our 15th Annual Appreciation Dinner.
2012 Keeping Dreams Alive Nomination Information
All submissions must be received by Friday, March 9, 2012.
Be sure to include the following:
- Nomination Form
- Nominee Waiver Form
- Nominee Essay Pages.
Submissions can be mailed or hand-delivered to:
Realities For Children Charities1610 South College AvenueFort Collins, Colorado 80525 Finalists and their nominating agencies will be notified, provided event information details and will receive a formal invitation by mail.
Donations
We are now accepting donations to Realities For Children’s Keeping Dreams Alive program! Please consider helping us make these young wishes come true.
Online: CLICK HERE
Phone: (970) 484-9090
Snail Mail or delivery:
Realities For Children Charities1610 South College AvenueFort Collins, CO 80525. Realities For Children Charities is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. All donations are tax deductible and directly serve the needs of abused, neglected and at-risk children in Larimer County.
Keeping Dreams Alive Event
All of the granted dreams will be presented at our 15th Annual Appreciation Dinner. This dinner is open to all Business Members, Major Donors, and Affiliate Agency Representatives. The dinner serves as our annual member meeting and honors local child protection community workers who fight every day in the local struggle against child abuse. It has become our community's primary Human Services awards banquet, presenting the following Awards and Categories:
YOUTH AWARDS
Keeping Dreams Alive Award: Awarded to abused and neglected children to encourage them to persevere and triumph over childhood abuse.
CASEWORKER AWARDS
Kathay Rennels Award: Awarded to the best performing ongoing caseworker for the last 12 months
Janna Klussman Award: Awarded to the best performing in-take caseworker
Ginny Riley Award: Awarded for achieving outstanding outcomes for children
Realities For Children Award: Awarded to the best overall caseworker team for performance
FOSTER PARENT OF THE YEAR AWARD
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARD
Superhero Award: Awarded to a law enforcement superhero who went above and beyond in the life of a local child.
COMMUNITY AWARDS
My Day I Survived Award: Awarded for outstanding contributions to children in our community
Uncommon Courage Award: Awarded to young adults 16-25 who have overcome great adversity through personal courage.
2010 Keeping Dreams Alive Recipients
Matthew
DREAM – Go to Disney World “today” and be a policeman in the "future".
LETICIA
DREAM – Get voice lessons "today" and be a performer in the "future".
SHANEQUA
DREAM - Get art lessons "today" and be a famous artist in the "future".
TANNER
DREAM – Go to Sea World "today" and work with animals in the "future".
SYDNEY
DREAM – Go to Holy Family High School "today" and graduate in the "future".
DILLON
DREAM – Go to a baseball game "today" and be an award presenter in the "future".
ASHLEY
DREAM – Go to cheerleader camp "today" and be a professional cheerleader in the "future".
JUSTIN
DREAM – Meet the coaches & players "today" and play basketball for CSU in the "future".
