District of Columbia: Oprah makes dreams come true for Dream Academy
Issue date: 6/1/08 Section: Neighborhood
Oprah Winfrey made many dreams come true with a gift of more than $900,000 to the U.S. Dream Academy, a nationally-recognized nonprofit after-school program dedicated to breaking the cycle of incarceration through academic, social and character building mentoring programs for at-risk children.
Her donation matches the $903,000 in individual and corporate contributions raised at the 10th anniversary "Power of a Dream" gala hosted by the Maryland-based U.S. Dream Academy (www.usdreamacademy.org) earlier this month.
Winfrey also announced that she will match up to $500,000 in additional donations made to the organization through October 10, 2008 to help expand its life-changing youth program nationally.
If this match is fully met, it will provide another $1 million on top of the $1.8 million raised through the combined donation of Winfrey and the 2008 gala supporters.
The event featured guest appearances by comedian and MTV Award-winning actor Chris Tucker, Grammy and Tony Award-winning Broadway performer Jennifer Holliday, Grammy Award-winning singer Peabo Bryson, and Grammy Award-nominated R&B artist Keyshia Cole.
The U.S. Dream Academy operates 11 Learning Centers in 10 cities around the country: Baltimore, Philadelphia, East Orange (NJ), Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Memphis, Orlando, Salt Lake City, and two in Washington, D.C.
"Oprah understands the power of dreams and how having them can positively alter a person's journey," said founder Wintley Phipps who serves as U.S. Dream Academy President and CEO. "We are all enormously grateful for Oprah's generosity and commitment to our efforts to empower children to make their dreams come true."
The academy's mission is to empower children who are at risk of incarceration to maximize their potential by providing them with academic, social and values enrichment through supportive mentoring and the use of technology. Its seeks to break the cycle of incarceration by giving children grades three through eight the skills and vision needed to lead productive and fulfilling lives.
For more information, visit www.usdreamacademy.org, call toll-free 1-800-USDREAM, or write 10400 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 300, Columbia, MD 21044.
Her donation matches the $903,000 in individual and corporate contributions raised at the 10th anniversary "Power of a Dream" gala hosted by the Maryland-based U.S. Dream Academy (www.usdreamacademy.org) earlier this month.
Winfrey also announced that she will match up to $500,000 in additional donations made to the organization through October 10, 2008 to help expand its life-changing youth program nationally.
If this match is fully met, it will provide another $1 million on top of the $1.8 million raised through the combined donation of Winfrey and the 2008 gala supporters.
The event featured guest appearances by comedian and MTV Award-winning actor Chris Tucker, Grammy and Tony Award-winning Broadway performer Jennifer Holliday, Grammy Award-winning singer Peabo Bryson, and Grammy Award-nominated R&B artist Keyshia Cole.
The U.S. Dream Academy operates 11 Learning Centers in 10 cities around the country: Baltimore, Philadelphia, East Orange (NJ), Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Memphis, Orlando, Salt Lake City, and two in Washington, D.C.
"Oprah understands the power of dreams and how having them can positively alter a person's journey," said founder Wintley Phipps who serves as U.S. Dream Academy President and CEO. "We are all enormously grateful for Oprah's generosity and commitment to our efforts to empower children to make their dreams come true."
The academy's mission is to empower children who are at risk of incarceration to maximize their potential by providing them with academic, social and values enrichment through supportive mentoring and the use of technology. Its seeks to break the cycle of incarceration by giving children grades three through eight the skills and vision needed to lead productive and fulfilling lives.
For more information, visit www.usdreamacademy.org, call toll-free 1-800-USDREAM, or write 10400 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 300, Columbia, MD 21044.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Jane Bailey
posted 3/16/09 @ 10:19 AM EST
wow, this brings back some great memories! it seems like just yesterday i was watching all of these great shows, and more great shows. this homecoming theme has been so much fun!
Janet Reese
posted 3/20/09 @ 12:41 PM EST
Cheers for writing about this. FYI - here's some more info about watch bones you might like!
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