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Independent Living

DREAM Council


Overview

  • Dream Council 2023 Schedule
    Dream Council 2023 Schedule

    The Independent Living team will be visiting a county near you very soon, so mark your calendars!


DREAM Ambassadors

Ambassador Purpose
1. To make a difference in the lives of Alabama’s foster youth.
2. To be a mentor to youth in foster care.
3. To promote leadership skills in Alabama’s foster youth.
4. To educate and promote current foster care policies.
5. To advocate for policy change or improvements in the current foster care system.
6. To educate foster youth on the positive benefits of being in foster care.
7. To be the voice and the face of foster care in Alabama.

Ambassador Criteria
1. 17-19 years of age
2. Submit a completed application with references included
3. Youth currently in the foster care system of Alabama
4. Active in local county’s Youth Advisory Council
5. Demonstrate leadership qualities
6. Socially responsible
7. Require minimum amount of supervision on overnight meetings.
8. No criminal background
9.  Attend all D.R.E.A.M. Council monthly meetings.
10. Serve a minimum of two (2) years as an Ambassador.
11. Team-player
12. Motivates self and others.
13. Work to make the difference and to be the difference in the Alabama foster care system.
**All of the above criteria must be met in order to be considered a D.R.E.A.M. Council Ambassador.
 


Youth Leadership Institute

The Leadership Institute provides an opportunity for non-ambassador Dream Council youth to gain intensive leadership training in hopeful preparation to serve as a Dream Ambassador in the future.  Dream Ambassadors and potential candidates are brought in a day prior to Dream Council meetings and undergo team building, action learning activities focused on leadership attributes and behavior, therapeutic group activities and leadership service projects.  They are then given an opportunity to experience Ambassador responsibilities first hand through Dream council meetings.  This also serves as a part of the interview process to properly assess a youth’s readiness for the responsibility of becoming a Dream Ambassador.  Components of the institute include: guest speakers such as older youth formerly in foster care and professional with a long history of working with youth in foster care.  It prepares them to advocate for themselves and their peers, to become role models and mentors for other IL youth and to take on future leadership roles.


For more information, contact Torre McDonald, tmcdonald@childrensaid.org or 205-943-5345.

2022 Highlights of Individuals & Families Served

  • United Way Central Alabama
    United Way Central Alabama
  • Alabama CTF
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