Dreamletter | July 2026
News, stories, and updates from “I Have A Dream” Foundation of Boulder County
Summer Dreamer Institute provides learning, fun, and opportunities
Summer is more than time off from school. It's an opportunity to keep learning, keep growing, and keep building the kind of confidence that carries into September.
For one week in July, Dreamer Scholars from elementary through high school gathered at New Vista High School and fanned out across Boulder County for this year’s Dreamer Institute. Every grade level came together to learn, build relationships, and have a great time.
Structured summer programming is one of the clearest predictors of whether a student holds their ground academically between June and August — and it's exactly what's hardest for families to get. Afterschool Alliance research finds that parents of 24.6 million children want a structured summer experience for their child, and about half of those children are left out. Affordability is the single biggest barrier (Source: Wallace Foundation).
The IHDF Dreamer Institute is free for our families. It’s part of our long-term commitment to walk alongside Dreamer Scholars from first grade to their first job.
Thank you to the community partners, staff, and volunteers who made this week happen!
Careers. A career panel and CPR training at a Boulder Fire Station. A quantum tech tour at Bifrost Electronics. Résumés and mock interviews with Boulder County Workforce.
College visits and a panel of admissions reps from several schools.
Science and the outdoors. Fiske Planetarium, nature days with Boulder County Parks & Open Space, hand-built bird feeders.
Art and expression. Clay, printmaking, and murals with Groundworks. Improv workshops.
Service. Helping and learning at an innovative farm, nonprofits, and more.
Hands-on creativity. Popsicle-stick bridges, LEGO challenges, circuit building — and plenty of soccer.
Museum Visit. Friday at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, IMAX included.
2026 Annual Luncheon
Every leader's journey has a beginning.
On October 1, join us at the Omni Interlocken to hear from Dreamer Scholar alumnus Saúl Tapia Vega—a true community leader—and see the new short film that celebrates the leadership of IHDF scholars. You won't want to miss it!
Seats are $50 per person. Reserve yours, and invite a friend who'll be inspired to support emerging leaders like Saúl.
2026 IHDF Golf Tournament: Nearly $70,000 Raised
A huge thank you to our golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and donors for helping raise almost $70,000 on July 13 to create opportunities and pathways for students and families across Boulder County!
It was an incredible day, and we're so grateful to everyone who made it possible. A special thank you to our Tournament Committee and the team at Lake Valley Golf Club for helping make this event such a success.
Presented by Dean & Becky Leffingwell. Supported by Corwin Toyota, Alpine Bank, Broadview Wealth Partners, Wilhite Law Firm, Elevations Credit Union, Daily Camera, Fisher Honda, Jack & Cirrelda Mills, Greg & JoAnn Bessera, Tebo Properties, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Dee Perry, Tim Goodacre//The Goodacre Group at milehimodern, La Mariposa, Heaven Hill, and Elijah Craig.
COMING EVENTS
Join us in the Boulder County Fair Parade
We'll be in the Boulder County Fair Parade this Saturday—join us or just say hello!
Want to help prep for the parade?
Parade Decorating Day
Friday, July 31 · 5:00–8:00 PM
Drop by anytime between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM to help decorate our parade truck and make signs. 5390 Manhattan Circle, Boulder, CO 80303
Join us on Parade Day!
Saturday, August 1 · 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Roosevelt Park, Longmont
We'll gather at 9:00 AM before the parade steps off at 10:00, then walk the Main Street route together. Staff, Dreamer Scholars, families, volunteers, and friends are all welcome. Bring water and a hat — it'll be warm.
Questions & RSVP: Contact Annie Vanderveen, Volunteer Manager at annie.vanderveen@ihaveadreamboulder.org.
Spotlight on the Community Center & Advancing Families Program
Join us for a Spotlight event highlighting IHDF’s Community Center and Advancing Families Program, an engaging gathering hosted by the “I Have A Dream” Foundation of Boulder County.
On Thursday, August 27, from 11:30 AM-1:00 PM enjoy a light lunch as our Community Center & Advancing Families Program staff shares how our holistic approach empowers students to overcome challenges and thrive. The Community Center gives students a place to land after school — homework help, mentors, and people who know their names. The Advancing Families Program is central to our 2Gen approach, meeting parents where they are so the whole family moves forward together.
Free to attend - space is limited.
Volunteer Opportunities
Become a Learning Partner
Learning Partners are school-based, academically-focused mentors assigned to a program site for a semester or longer. You'll work with a cohort of Dreamer Scholars under the direction of our program staff— tutoring in math, science, and literacy, supporting social-emotional learning, and showing up consistently, which turns out to be the part that matters most.
One day a week, about 2.5–3 hours, for one full semester. Sites in Boulder, Lafayette, and Longmont. Volunteers are 18 or older and complete a background check and orientation.
Fall applications are open through September 15, with placements beginning in September and October.
Unity in the Community—Longmont
On Friday evening, August 28, 2026, “Unity in the Community” will turn downtown Longmont into a street festival — free, family-friendly, and packed with more than 100 local businesses and nonprofits. Join us at the IHDF booth to let people know what IHDF has to offer for students, families and volunteers.
Spend a few hours talking with neighbors, handing out information, and enjoying one of the best evenings of the Longmont summer.
Interested? Contact Annie Vanderveen, Volunteer Manager at annie.vanderveen@ihaveadreamboulder.org.
Marketing Committee
Join a working group of board members, volunteers, and staff who help IHDF get better known across Boulder County.
The committee shapes how we tell the story of our Dreamer Scholars, finds opportunities for visibility, opens doors to new audiences, and helps see that our mission reaches the donors, partners, and neighbors. If you're a natural connector, an advocate, or someone who works in marketing, media, or design, and you like the idea of putting that to work for students, this could be for you!
Contact Scott Moore, Marketing & Communications Manager at scott.moore@ihaveadreamboulder.org.
Board of Directors
"I Have A Dream" Foundation of Boulder County is seeking mission-aligned community and business leaders for terms beginning October 1, 2026.
AmeriCorps positions open
We're recruiting eight half-time AmeriCorps members — 20 hours per week, September through July — to serve alongside our team and our Dreamer Scholars.
Program Site AmeriCorps Member
Mentor Dreamer Scholars, provide academic support, and help lead the programming that students look forward to all year.
Advancing Families AmeriCorps Member
Build relationships with families, support parent workshops, and strengthen family engagement across our sites.
Members receive a living allowance, a Segal Education Award, and ongoing professional development — along with a year spent doing work that matters to students and families across Boulder County.
Know someone who's looking for a meaningful service year? Send them our way.
Contact Tina Nguyen at tina.nguyen@ihaveadreamboulder.org.