The Dream Campaign is an enrichment program in which 40 high school aged youth participate in a mentoring and career exploration program which includes job shadowing successful professionals in areas such as information technology, advertising, medicine, legal and the corporate industry. Participants also shadow successful entrepreneurs.

The youth in the Dream Campaign are connected to adults with the same career interest who become mentors/role models.  The mentor/role model meets with the youth to help with issues such as peer pressure, academics, etc. as well as help diminish barriers to success.  Mentors also guide, inspire, motivate, encourage and support them.  The mentors assist the youth with high school completion, college preparation and provide job readiness support.guide, inspire, motivate, encourage and support them.  The mentors assist the youth with high school completion, college preparation and provide job readiness support.

The Dream Campaign participants participate in monthly job shadow events, attend career and college fairs, participate in workshops regarding personal development, goal setting, team building and planning for the future, and meet weekly with their mentor.

The benefits and outcomes of Dream Campaign are as follows: long lasting relationships developed; motivation to succeed; solid career exploration leading to a path for success; strong commitment to a successful educational track; improved academics and grades; greater confidence and self-esteem; improved socialization skills, better problem solving skills and overall long-term success and knowledge to “pay forward” the mentoring support received.

The Future League

The Future League is a Leadership Development and Career Aspirational Program designed to develop Middle School aged youth into becoming Aspirational Leaders through a basketball league.  Most basketball leagues are organized specifically to play the game of basketball.  The Future League has been created and designed to expose our participating youth to the various positions held within an NBA organization by giving them an opportunity to gain hands on-experience in various roles both on and off the court.

Getting our Future League Youth “In the Zone”

People talk about the zone in terms of intellectual or athletic pursuits, but rarely both. The Future League is set up for youth to have fun, play basketball, and most importantly learn life skills that help build a strong foundation to enhance their lives and foster an appetite for excellence in every endeavor they pursue all the while inspiring those around them.

Leadership Values

During Future League’s 8-week program, we will apply tactics from each compass –  in sports and in business.  Through these tactics the Future League Youth will R.E.A.C.H. to become peak performers as they learn to master each of these 5 vital, leadership values:

• Respect
• Empowerment
• Authenticity
• Courage
• Humility

Not only is it our goal that the Future League Youth walk away with strong aspirational leadership skills and a sense of purpose, but that the Future League Youth walk away feeling valued and confident with a greater respect for others by developing these functional skills:

• Communication
• Team Building
• Decision Making
• Organization
• Problem Solving

How will it work?

The Future League expands the very idea of what it means to participate in a youth basketball league. Roles are no longer limited to the five positions on the court.

Teamwork begins long before tip-off in this model. The Marketing Manager develops and implements a strategy to get fans to the game. The Entertainment Manager ensures attendees have a halftime show to enjoy. Meanwhile, the Health Manager is providing a health plan for the players, the Community Project Manager will lead a community project, as the General Manager oversees the entire operation.

In addition to developing leaderships skills, learning how to lead, Future League Youth will also be learning when to lead. It may be that the Head of Marketing is called upon to take direction, rather than give it, when it is time to execute the Community Project. Just as a star player must learn when to pass rather than shoot, organizational leaders must learn when they need to use their skills in support of their “teammates”.  We will have leadership discussions daily so that the skills we are looking to develop are strongly lead by the youth.it, when it is time to execute the Community Project. Just as a star player must learn when to pass rather than shoot, organizational leaders must learn when they need to use their skills in support of their “teammates”.  We will have leadership discussions daily so that the skills we are looking to develop are strongly lead by the youth.

In addition, with mentors in place who range in age from the teens to 30+, participants will have an opportunity to experience various types and levels of mentorship, while witnessing how even mentors can be mentored. The Future League’s holistic approach will foster the development of community and the kind of collaborative culture that participants will want to replicate, regardless of where their future endeavors lead them.

Future League Youth Program Schedule

Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• 9:30 – 10:00    Welcome/Breakfast
• 10:00 – 11:00   Basketball practice for Team 1 & 2 / Activity time for Team 3 & 4
• 11:00 – 12:00   Games
• 12:00 – 12:30   Lunch
• 12:30 – 1:00     Leadership Enrichment
• 1:00 – 2:00      Basketball practice for Team 3 & 4 / Activity time for Team 1 & 2
• 2:00                  Dismissal

Program Takeaways

Our desire is for each student to leave the program with:

• A positive attitude
• Keeping commitments
• Sharing spirit
• Growth minded
• Appreciative nature