Dream Makers Project

Dream Makers is on a mission to change the lives of youth who age out of foster care by connecting the community to the needs of former foster youth. Fulfilling Dreams is our main program to support youth who are alone and aging out of foster care. Every year, more than 23,000 teenagers age out of the foster care system at 18 years old without a family to help them transition into adulthood.Not only did these youth enter foster care due to experiencing neglect, abuse, or abandonment but are now left to fend for themselves during a pivotal point of life. Most of them have virtually no support system to lean on during this crisis and struggle daily to survive. We give professional guidance as we work directly with the youth to find out their dream or barrier that is getting in the way of achieving independence. We ensure that each youth has aged out and use the actual photo of each youth on our website. When a donor fulfills a dream they also write a note of encouragement and hope that is sent directly to that youth. We have heard from the youth that they truly need and appreciate the dream, but the notes of encouragement help them know people care and are cheering them on in this lonely world. Every dream listed on our site represents a life that is worthy of supporting.Our secondary program, Crisis Needs, meets immediate and emergency needs as they are presented to us and as we are able. We started this because most of the youth we serve express having food insecurities and are hungry. Because having your basic needs met should not have to be a dream.Market 18 is an online shop of items made by former foster youth. We work directly with the youth to come up with a product to sell that helps the youth financially and raises awareness about these incredible human beings who are not only survivors, but talented artists. 270 dreams fulfilled