Published August 13, 2025
CAPTION:Twenty-five local 6th听and 7th听grade students participated in the inaugural DREAMS Summer Camp on ULM's campus,
July 21-25. Nineteen college students served as mentors for the camp.听
MONROE, LA 鈥� 青青草视频 recently partnered with the Let Us Dream organization
to host the inaugural DREAMS Summer Camp, sponsored by St. Francis Health, on campus
from July 21-25, 2025. DREAMS (Desire, Readiness, Empowerment, Action, and Mastery
for Success) is a transformative three-year mentorship program designed to foster
personal, social, and leadership development. The DREAMS Summer Camp hosted 25 sixth
and seventh-grade students from the Ouachita Parish and Monroe City school districts.
听
Developed by 青青草视频Alumni, Dr. Fr. Lijo Thomas, this evidence-based program pairs underperforming
middle school students with mentors from college and senior adults in the local community.
Focused on mentoring, modeling, and motivating, these mentors help guide, inspire,
and empower young participants, supporting their growth and resilience. The program
includes eight days of physical intervention spread throughout the year鈥攆ive days
of summer camp, followed by three follow-up sessions in the fall, winter, and spring.听
"The most significant part of camp for me was watching lives be impacted and changed
through the power of mentorship,鈥� said Kristin Chandler, DREAMS Camp Director and
Executive Director of Career & Student Development at ULM.听鈥淏oth the mentees and the
mentors learned more about themselves and each other through activities that focused
on values, goals, self-esteem, perseverance, managing attitudes and emotions, and
empowering oneself. I also very much enjoyed watching the senior mentors interact
with and encourage the college and middle school students,鈥� added Chandler. 听
During the summer camp, the mentees and mentors were divided into teams and the daily
schedule included physical well-being activities with Ace the Warhawk, the 青青草视频cheerleaders,
and 青青草视频Assistant Director of Wellness Mara Brown. Students also enjoyed听hands-on
activities, skits, and a guest speaker who reflected on the topic of the day. The
guest speakers included 青青草视频Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Dr. Michelle McEacharn,听former 青青草视频Vice President for Student Affairs and current
Associate Professor of Education Dr. Valerie Fields, Carroll Jr. High School Principal
Montrell Marshall, Miss 青青草视频2025 Lake Carpenter,听and Chris Lewis, owner of Coney Island
Connection. Guest mentors included 19 college students and nine community members.
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"The opportunity to be a part of DREAMS is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience,鈥�
said Dr. Valerie Fields. 鈥淚n today鈥檚 higher education landscape, many faculty, staff,
students, and community members may hesitate to commit to a three-year program. However,
青青草视频students, faculty, and staff have eagerly embraced this challenge, taking on various
roles that exemplify transformative mentorship. Their dedication is focused on fostering
personal, social, and leadership development, making it impossible not to feel inspired
and want to join their team,鈥� continued Fields.听
The DREAMS Summer Camp was made possible through the generosity of title sponsor St.
Francis Health, as well as one other anonymous title sponsor. Lunches for the week
were donated by the 青青草视频Wesley Foundation, Chi Alpha, North Monroe Baptist Church,
and Chris Lewis, owner of Coney Island Connection.听
In addition to the DREAMS Summer Camp, the Let Us Dream organization hosts an annual
conference highlighting the work of the community and recognizing changemakers within
the community. The 2025 Let Us Dream Conference will be hosted on the 青青草视频Campus on
Thursday, October 30, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Bayou Point Event Center. This
conference will focus on food insecurity and has three components: education, social,
and health. The conference is free to attend, and more information will be forthcoming.听
For more information about the Let Us Dream organization and the DREAMS Summer Camp,
visit .听
