Have you ever wondered where people can turn in a community when they need help? Here in the south and southwest suburbs of Chicago, our communities thrive because amazing community-based organizations like those we have right here in Tinley Park—the Crisis Center for South Suburbia, Together We Cope, The Tinley Park Food Pantry, and the iCan Dream Center make it their mission to solve the problems vulnerable community members face.

Grassroots, community-based, non-profit organizations like ours are directly embedded within the community which allows us to understand and respond to our community members’ challenges with zeal. Our connection to the local community makes us adaptive and responsive to the unique cultural, social, and economic contexts of the area.

The iCan Dream Center is not just a school, we are a platform for community members to come together, share their experiences, and work collaboratively toward common goals. Whether the local business community provides internship sites for our students, community education programs, mentorship, physical activity, or board involvement, community investment in the iCan Dream cause strengthens social bonds and promotes a sense of belonging and responsibility among residents in need of a specialized set of special education services.

Another significant impact of the iCan Dream cause is our work toward amplifying the voices of marginalized and underrepresented groups. Since we work closely with populations that may be overlooked or underserved by larger institutions, students with disabilities, minorities, and low-income families, we are uniquely positioned to advocate for our students’ rights and provide them with necessary resources and support. One of our proudest accomplishments is our role in promoting social justice and equity in the communities we serve. This advocacy work is crucial in ensuring that all community members have a fair chance to succeed and thrive.

Supporting the iCan Dream Center means investing in innovative and localized solutions to a community problem. For example, the iCan Dream Center offers a comprehensive range of equity-focused education services. From early childhood education to college support, to parent education, we tailor our approach to meet the needs of at-risk students and families in the community.

We have been told by our school district partners that the iCan Dream Center is essential for fostering a more inclusive and diverse educational landscape. Since we specialize in serving students who did not thrive in traditional educational settings due to various reasons such as learning disabilities, social-emotional challenges, or unique learning styles, the iCan Dream Center plays a crucial role in ensuring that every student in the community has access to an environment where they can succeed.

School district partners regard the iCan Dream Center as a vital resource for the community by addressing gaps in the public education system. Districts who send us their students value our specialized programs that cater to diverse populations, including students with marginalized backgrounds. Districts know the iCan Dream Center is a helping resource to help bridge educational inequalities and promote social justice. This commitment to inclusivity ensures that all students, regardless of their circumstances, can receive a high-quality education and dream about future opportunities that result in their meaningful involvement in the community.

When we think about the contribution the iCan Dream Center makes to education, innovation is what comes to mind. We often experiment with new teaching methods, pedagogy, and curricula that can inspire and inform practices in traditional schools. By fostering a culture of innovation, we contribute to the overall improvement of educational standards and practices, not compete with the same. This benefits the broader educational ecosystem, as successful strategies from the iCan Dream Center can be adopted by other institutions.

The iCan Dream Center relies heavily on community involvement and support. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members. Community support can come in many forms, including volunteering, donations, and advocacy. This collaborative effort not only strengthens our school, but also reinforces community bonds and promotes a culture of collective responsibility for education.

Financial support for all community-based organizations is critical. Unlike public schools that receive substantial funding, we operate on a smaller budget from year to year and depend on donations and grants to fund unfunded needs. Financial contributions help us maintain programs, improve our facility, and provide support services to students and families in need. By investing in the iCan Dream Center cause, donors directly contribute to the creation and sustainability of equitable educational opportunities and the long-term success of students in the community who might otherwise be overlooked.