"I Have A Dream" Foundation - Los Angeles

The "I Have A Dream"​ Foundation--Los Angeles (IHADLA) provides long-term support to youth living in underserved communities to empower them to fulfill their potential and achieve their dreams.

ABOUT US

The national “I Have A Dream” Foundation was established in 1981 by businessman, Eugene M. Lang, who was struck by the need for help and services that would encourage and enable young people in under-served communities to stay in school and ensure a more successful future for themselves and their families. Since then, over 200 “I Have a Dream” programs have operated in 28 states, Washington, DC and New Zealand.

Established in 1987, the “I Have A Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles is the only educational organization in L.A. that works with elementary school children through high school graduation and transitioning into college and guarantees them tuition and support through their post-secondary education. We have recently launched a college and career program that helps college students stay in and finish college and find work. Since its founding, IHADLA has supported over 11,500 community individuals – the students, their parents and siblings. Toward that end, students receive IHADLA’s full services of in- school, after-school, and year-round academic, social, and emotional support, designed to break the cycle of inter-generational poverty.

WHAT WE DO

IHADLA sponsors an entire grade level in an elementary school in underserved communities, working with students for 12+ consecutive years through high school graduation and beyond. We work to break the cycle of poverty by sponsoring entire classes of first graders in Title I schools. We stay with our students (Dreamer Scholars) through high school graduation and into the college or career path they choose, providing them with tutoring, mentorship, cultural enrichment, emotional support, individualized case management, and guaranteed college scholarships.