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Help Create "Dreamer Schools" throughout Oregon

The "I Have a Dream" Foundation-Oregon's mission is to help low-income kids succeed in school and in college. They have done this through a combination of long-term mentorships, academic and social support services and by creating a "culture of college" starting in third grade. Now, they are embarking on an expanded goal by adopting three entire low-income elementary of K-8 public schools as "Dreamer Schools." These schools will include expanded emphasis on pre-K services, college completion and deeper collaboration with participating school districts, communities, leading educational and non-profit organizations. Their ultimate goal is to substantially increase high school graduation and college completion rates for all students in each of the three Dreamer Schools. This model will then serve as a demonstration project for wider replication in Oregon. Children are our future - we need to invest in them and their future.

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    anonymousanonymous shared this idea  ·   ·  Flag idea as inappropriate…  ·  Admin →

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      • Johnnie DriessnerJohnnie Driessner commented  ·   ·  Flag as inappropriate

        Johnnie Driessner
        Great idea! This is already a proven concept (10 schools in 20 years with double to triple the graduation rate). Add more community partners and we can't lose. Education is THE ANSWER!

      Million Dollar Ideas: Education

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      Guidelines for Posting Ideas

      Oregon was once known as a place where new, creative thinking flourished and people weren’t afraid to face hard truths and take bold steps. But lately Oregon conversations are full of pessimism and cynicism. We all know Oregon is in a world of hurt. We’ve grown accustomed to hearing what’s wrong here.

      Meyer Memorial Trust wants to help change the tone of the conversations and jumpstart action that again makes our state a place where ideas begin and grow. But we need your help. Tell us what you think is the most pressing issue facing Oregon that an investment of up to $1 million from MMT could provide meaningful support and leverage over the next two years. Give us your best ideas about the form that support and leverage might take.

      This is not a time for faint hearted suggestions. We're looking for bold and innovative approaches. And while the nonprofit sector is proving itself to be resilient, innovative and inspired in these times, we need to move beyond categorical thinking and invite all sectors to work together to address the issues we face before it's too late. This is not the place for an organization to make a pitch for funds on its own behalf. We’re looking for ideas that rise above individual organizations and constituencies.

      Asking for public input in this kind of forum is new for us. Frankly, we don’t quite know what to expect. But we have faith that Oregonians will take this process seriously and contribute their best thinking. We believe Oregonians are ready to reengage and stay engaged and work together to find solutions. But awarding the million dollars depends on the quality of ideas—if we don’t have sufficient participation or we don’t find a good match with MMT’s mission and values, we reserve the right to find another route to helping create a better future for Oregon.

      We are confident Oregonians won’t let us down. We expect lively—but civil—discussions. We desire innovative, entrepreneurial ideas…the kind Fred Meyer might have had.

      Thank you for jumpstarting a better future for Oregon by submitting your million dollar idea below and/or commenting on ideas already suggested.