About DREAM

There are limited options for students with intellectual disabilities (ID) after high school, but we want to change that.   College is an option and D.R.E.A.M. Partnership can help students with intellectual disabilities live their dream, after high school and beyond.

D.R.E.A.M. Partnership is establishing a network of colleges in the state of Pennsylvania that provide employment focused educational opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and we provide scholarships to students attending those programs.  These programs not only affect the students with ID, but they also have a life changing effect on the peer mentors and students on campus without disabilities. The impact of having students of all abilities learn and work alongside one another will have a lasting impact on perceptions. Students without disabilities learning and working alongside peers with disabilities will be more likely to promote the hiring of people with disabilities once they enter the workforce. Peer mentors are a large part of the college experience for these students, and we want to acknowledge them with this award.

Our Mission:

The mission of D.R.E.A.M Partnership (DREAM) is to develop scholarship and postsecondary educational opportunities, which lead to independent living and employment for students with intellectual disabilities in Pennsylvania.

Our History:
D.R.E.A.M. Partnership was formed in October 2012 because of a simple question from a teenage daughter: “Mom, where am I going to college?”  For most young adults this is a fairly common question.  What made this question so unique compared to her peers?  The young woman, Demi, has down syndrome.  After investigation her mother, Donna Partin, discovered that there were very limited options in Pennsylvania for students with intellectual disabilities (ID) after high school.  Donna and Demi set out to change that.  Donna and professionals in Central Pennsylvania with extensive knowledge related to students with disabilities and postsecondary education formed DREAM Partnership. 

Last year we celebrated our 11th anniversary as an organization and in those short 11 years DREAM has become the leader and voice in Pennsylvania in the movement to support students with ID with increased choices of postsecondary options.  DREAM has assisted 13 colleges and universities with technical and financial support to create and expand programs for students with ID.  In addition to those programs, DREAM has expanded our network to include three (3) additional programs within Pennsylvania, making those students eligible for scholarships.  The DREAM Network programs enroll approximately 150 students annually.

Through grants and fundraising, DREAM has created a Scholarship Fund, which has awarded 325 scholarships to students who attend DREAM supported programs, totaling $1.2 Million. 

The DREAM staff consists of one part-time Executive Administrator and experienced consultants.  We operate using a virtual office model, which keeps our expenses low and allows more of our funds to go toward our programming goals.  We rely on a group of dedicated community volunteers to serve on our Board of Directors and committees. We are proud of our small but mighty organization and our accomplishments! 

Thank you for making college dreams a reality for these students!

Visit our website: dreampartnership.org