The Greensboro Dreamers are now 28 years old and recently many of them gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their graduation from Greene County High School.
In August 2000, Greensboro residents Tom and Kathy Kelly made a commitment to 54 first-grade children in Greene County to make sure that money troubles would not stand in the way of them graduating from high school and becoming productive citizens.
The Kelly’s Greensboro Dreamers program promised to provide a “long-term educational support program (16 to 17 years) with an assured opportunity for further education beyond high school (e.g., college or vocational school) through tuition assistance.”
This monumental effort became much more than just financial support. The children became teenagers and the teenagers became adults. All became part of a very large family encouraged by the Kellys and Beth Thomas, a former Greene County teacher who the Kellys hired to administer the program.
Thomas said 45 Dreamers graduated from high school in 2012. Former teachers, board members, and other supporters got together earlier this month to celebrate the 10th anniversary. The celebration activities included comments by founders Tom and Kathy Kelly, Director Beth Thomas, and many of the Dreamers, who shared favorite experiences, lessons learned, and updates on their individual lives.
“I can tell you the BEST thing about being a Dreamer is gaining a family,” wrote Felicia Peaks, a Protein Purification Lab Technician. “It’s my FAMILY. I can’t thank ya’ll enough for that.”
“My favorite Dreamer memory was every moment we cherished together,” said Johnathan Jackson, a machine specialist at Georgia Pacific. “Whether it was after school, Saturday school, or a special field trip. I love each and everyone like a brother or sister.”
“Dreamers was a vital part of my childhood and exposed me to new ideas and places outside Greensboro,” added Willie Evans, owner/operator for Slow Grind Basketball LLC.
Rosalyn Scott, a content creator in brand marketing for Amazon, said that because of the program that she never stopped dreaming and never will.
“I will always love you guys for helping shape me into the woman I am today. You’re forever in my heart,” she said.
Kadijah Woods told one of her fond memories about the program’s founder who the Dreamers affectionately called “Mr. K.”
“It was an honor to have Mr. K walk me down the aisle at my wedding! The Greensboro Dreamers will forever be a part of my success story,” said the graduate student in Counseling Education at Georgia Southern University.
Jacayla Edwards Andrews is a reproductive and endocrinology nurse who said she is passing on to her son the confidence she learned as a Dreamer.
“Mr. & Mrs. Kelly, Mrs. Thomas, and all of the supporters of the Dreamers program afforded me the opportunity to create a life which I had no idea I could pursue prior to joining the program,” Andrews said. “I am now a wife, mother, registered nurse, and leader in the local organizations. My son is now being raised in the same principles, to be respectful and honest, take education seriously, and know that he is just as good as others and better than most.”
Over the years, the Greensboro Dreamers won awards and honors and drew national attention from TV programs like “60 Minutes” and magazines such as “People” and “Time.”
As the program developed its track record, Tom and Kathy Kelly were able to get major support from grants and fundraisers as well as individual and corporate donations.
During their college years, the Kellys and Thomas visited the Dreamers, encouraging them to look at college like a job, to manage their time wisely, talk to their professors and take advantage of mentors.
Thomas said the program was able to help the Dreamers with more than a million dollars for college expenses.
Thirty-five Greene County students received post-graduate degrees by the time the Greensboro Dreamers program ended in 2018.
But, as Dreamer Jacayla Andrews said, “The values this program instilled in myself and others will not only impact the Dreamers but future generations to come.”