Dreams Mean Hope for Healing
Dreams are coming true at PEP! Believe in Dreams is a local nonprofit that grants dreams to youth who have faced traumatic, non-medical events, giving them access to enriching opportunities, connection to their communities, and hope for their future. Over the last several months, several of PEP’s Day Treatment Center community based care managers have submitted applications on behalf of deserving students. So far, Believe in Dreams has accepted six dreams from PEP!
Examples of Dreams
Dreams from Believe in Dreams can take many forms, including:
- Lessons, camps, and classes
- Memberships and cultural events
- Sporting events
- Meeting an inspirational figure like a professional athlete or musician
- Amusement parks
- Material items
At PEP the dreams in process are a testament to the diversity of young people’s interests and the care Believe in Dreams puts into its work. One child from PEP Phoenix, for instance, loves sports. His package, which was put together with the information provided by his PEP community-based care manager, includes Brown’s tickets for a loge, CAVs tickets, a signed Lebron James jersey, signed Nick Chubb merchandise, a 40 inch flat screen television, a PlayStation, and three sports games. Other students have asked for things like drum lessons and driver’s education classes.
Healing through Dreams
“This program is so beneficial for our kids,” explained Lewis Dichairo, a community-based care manager from PEP Phoenix. “It not only helps them see that the community cares about them, but it fits right in with PEP’s trauma-informed approach. If our kids can have experiences that are regulating like drum lessons – or if they develop nurturing relationships in the community – there is healing power in those experiences.”
PEP is grateful to Believe in Dreams for making these dreams reality. The young people from PEP who have received their dreams have been profoundly touched by your generosity. Special thanks also to the PEP staff who made this possible, including Hallie Gustin, ecological support manager; Lewis Dichairo, community-based care manager, PEP Phoenix; and Ravanne Mangini, community-based care manager, PEP Hopewell.