Kim U.S. Dream Academy Be Educated Grantee Recipient

Kim, now 15, is proof positive that our program does work. Kim is the child of an incarcerated father and a schizophrenic mother. Her mother would often burn Kim and her siblings’ clothes during her episodes. On some occasions she would abandon them and not return for days. These incidents were difficult for Kim to handle alone. Her father, mostly absent from her life because of his incarceration, could not provide the support she needed to thrive. Living in this volatile environment caused Kim to retreat and possess little or no self-esteem. She rarely made eye contact with others and seldom spoke at all.

Kim and her siblings were eventually taken from their mother and placed with their grandmother, who enrolled Kim into the Dream Academy program. She was placed with a soft spoken mentor, Asia, who had the patience necessary to bring this incredible spirit out of this broken young person. Asia is passionate about mentoring. She was brought up in a family that truly believes it is a privilege to serve. They live by the motto “to whom much is given--much is required.”

Asia has been a mentor to Kim for the past year. The change in Kim is visible to everyone. Kim’s grandmother says she has made an improvement in her grades and she has noticed how Kim opens up a lot more now, than in the past about things that bother her. Asia knows the mentor relationship is more than giving homework tips, but it is developing a relationship of trust with her mentee. Her relationship with Kim has evolved over time. Kim has learned to trust Asia and relies on Asia’s advice to be able to handle difficult situations.

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