DREAMLETTER: December 2025
Happy Holidays!
In this 2025 Highlights Edition...
Reflecting on 2025
As this year comes to a close, I find myself holding both gratitude and honesty. This past year brought moments of real challenge—rising costs, increased needs among family, friends and many other families we partner with in our community, and difficult choices about how to stretch limited resources. There were times when the work felt heavy, and when the realities facing our Dreamer Scholars, their families and so many in our community were impossible to ignore.
At the same time, this year reaffirmed for me why we do this work and the strength of the community that makes it possible. It created important moments to pause, listen, and learn—allowing us to better understand what is working, where we need to adapt, and how we can be more responsive to the needs of students and families. This reflection strengthened our confidence in a long-term, relationship-centered approach and sharpened our focus on the strategic priorities that will guide our work moving forward.
One moment that stays with me is our community dinners. The fact that it was needed was sobering. Yet what unfolded was deeply moving: families, staff, volunteers, and partners showing up for one another with generosity and care. It was a powerful reminder that even in hard moments, our community leads with compassion and collective responsibility.
As we look ahead, I remain hopeful and committed. With your continued support, we will keep listening, learning, and responding—meeting immediate needs while building sustainable pathways for Dreamer Scholars and their families. Thank you for walking alongside us this year. Your trust, care, and belief in our mission make this work possible.
Dr. Perla Delgado, CEO/Executive Director
Looking Back on a Year of Dreams, Growth, and Community
2025 has been a remarkable year for IHDF Scholars and programs. As we close out this chapter, we're filled with gratitude for the milestones we've achieved together—from celebrating our 100% high school graduation rate for the Class of '25 to marking 35 years of partnering with youth and families in Boulder County.
This Dreamletter captures the highlights of a year defined by student success, community generosity, dedicated volunteers, and the abiding belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
Thank you for being part of this journey!
“My mom gave up her dream so I could find mine.”
—Rachell; Carbon Valley Dreamer Scholar and future attorney
Rachell’s mother has been an inspiration, role model and constant support.
She grew up in a region where education was inaccessible. She set aside her own dreams in order to bring her family to the U.S., working so that her daughters could have the education that was not available to her.
Today, the dream of higher education and a profession fueled by passion is alive in Rachell—a Niwot High School senior and member of the “I Have A Dream” Foundation Carbon Valley Class. She plans to study law to become a criminal defense attorney who “advocates for those who can’t.” Her compassion and confidence are palpable; her motivation deeply rooted in her mother’s sacrifices.
“When I graduate, I want to buy my parents a house and retire them,” Rachell says with a smile. “I want to give them everything they gave up for me.”
Through the “I Have A Dream” Foundation of Boulder County, Rachell found opportunities, resources and a true community. “It’s like a family,” Rachell says. “You can lean on anyone.”
Full Circle: Alumni Giving Back to the Next Generation
One of the most moving moments at our annual Keeping the Dream Alive Luncheon came through a video featuring three Dreamer Scholar Alumni—Andre, Andrea, and Lupita—who have come full circle to invest in the next generation.
Their stories of dedication and giving back captured exactly why this community is so special. From mentors to volunteers to advocates, these alumni are living proof that the impact of "I Have A Dream" extends far beyond graduation—it creates a lasting commitment to lifting up others.
Thank You for an Amazing Colorado Gives Day—Let's Finish Strong!
What an incredible outpouring of support we saw on Colorado Gives Day! We're so grateful to everyone who donated—including dozens of new donors who joined our community for the first time. Your generosity was truly inspiring!
Now, as we enter the final stretch of 2025, we're asking for your help to finish strong. We're currently 44% of the way toward our critical $200,000 year-end goal, which means every donation between now and December 31 will be highly impactful—and greatly appreciated!
Your gift, no matter the amount, ensures we can provide consistent academic, social-emotional, and enrichment support to Dreamer Scholars and their families throughout Boulder County in the year ahead.
Haven't made your year-end gift yet? There's still time! You can donate securely online at bouldercounty.ihdf.org/donate, or mail a check to arrive by December 31. If another giving option works better for you, we're happy to help.
Key Year-End Giving Dates:
- Online giving (credit/debit/ACH): Complete by 11:59 PM on December 31
- Checks: Must be postmarked by December 31
- Donor-Advised Funds: Now available through our donation portal—complete by December 31
- Questions? Call 303-444-3636 or email danielle.otsuka@ihaveadreamboulder.org
- Note: Our office will be closed December 20-31
Celebrating 100% Graduation Rate for Oak & Elk Classes
What a year! We achieved one of our most significant milestones: 100% of our Oak and Elk class seniors graduated, along with individual graduates from other cohorts. And, for the first time, we had the joy of including many postsecondary graduates earning degrees and certificates from fourteen institutions of higher learning.
Our Completion Ceremony honored high school seniors from our 16th cohort—many who joined us in first or second grade—and recognized college and certificate program graduates reaching new heights in their educational journeys.
These graduates showed extraordinary resilience, navigating high school and college during a pandemic, persevering through hybrid classrooms and COVID protocols while rebuilding in-person connections. Through it all, they kept moving forward with courage and determination.
This milestone reflects the power of long-term commitment and community support. We're grateful to families, caregivers, staff, volunteers, mentors, and partners—including Boulder Valley School District, St. Vrain Valley School District, and Boulder Housing Partners. Special thanks to our Dreamer Scholar Sponsors whose investments are transforming into scholarships that open doors to possibility!
IHDF Scholars Thriving in College and Beyond!
Our Postsecondary Department stays connected with IHDF Scholars as they navigate higher education—and the reports coming back have been inspiring! Through regular check-ins, students are sharing incredible stories of growth, achievement, and community.
From making the President's Honor Roll to studying abroad in Thailand and Japan, from joining multicultural sororities to building confidence as women in STEM, our Scholars are thriving. They're graduating debt-free, forming lifelong friendships, and preparing to give back to their communities as social workers, advocates, and leaders.
As one first-generation student shared: "Thank you to all of the donations. I hope to follow in your footsteps and support younger generations in the future so that our first-generation education rates continue to rise."
These successes reflect the power of comprehensive, long-term support—walking alongside students not just through high school, but throughout their entire postsecondary journey.
Read more student stories and reflections
Robotics Team Shines!
We're incredibly proud of our Community Center robotics team and their exciting season with First Lego League! As part of our growing Community Center programming, these young engineers tackled complex challenges with creativity and determination—designing robots to complete tabletop missions and developing an Innovation Project that truly impressed: a star-nosed mole robot using ground-penetrating radar to map archeological sites without disrupting them.
Watch a fun video of this year's team and season.
The students' enthusiasm says it all: "What I like about it is that it's fun, and I make friends, and I get to code and learn more things I didn't know." Under the guidance of dedicated coaches like Elia, Brian, and Thomas, these Dreamer Scholars are discovering their potential in STEM.
For lead coach Elia, the impact goes beyond competition: "Robotics is one of the main things I credit with my interest in STEM. I had so many amazing mentors that I met through the program, and being able to feel like I can make that kind of difference in my students' lives is really valuable."
Want to learn more about our Community Center programs? Contact Andrea Nieto (andrea.nieto@ihaveadreamboulder.org) to find out how you can get involved!
Celebrating Our Incredible Volunteers!
Our volunteers are the heart of everything we do—and this year, they've shown up in extraordinary ways! From building confidence in young readers to transforming how students approach challenging subjects to showing up week after week with unwavering dedication, our Learning Partners and mentors make dreams possible.
We were thrilled to shine a spotlight on some amazing volunteers this past year whose impact speaks volumes: Becca Longino, who helped a 2nd grader at Mountain View blossom into a confident, engaged learner; Emily Guerrero, whose math tutoring at Frederick High School goes far beyond equations to build resilience and self-belief; Janet Dilz, this year's Lori Canova Leadership & Recognition Award recipient, whose six years of joyful, consistent mentoring have touched countless lives across multiple cohorts; and Analycia Smith, a CU Boulder senior and CU in the City intern who is giving back to a community she once was part of as a first-generation student from a rural Colorado school district.
Each of these volunteers embodies what makes all of our volunteers so special—they don't just give their time, they give their hearts. To Becca, Emily, Janet, Analycia, and all our volunteers: thank you for being champions for our Dreamers. You are truly key to our success!
IHDF in the Spotlight: Local Media Shares Our Story and Impact
We're grateful to local media for helping share the story of "I Have A Dream" Foundation and the incredible work happening in our community!
The Daily Camera highlighted the vital role our AmeriCorps members play in supporting Dreamer Scholars, while also bringing attention to the impact of recent AmeriCorps funding cuts on programs like ours. Read the Daily Camera articles.
We were also thrilled to see Denver7's Mile High Living feature a wonderful conversation between CEO/Executive Director Dr. Perla Delgado and Sarahí Carreón Gonzáles, a CU student and IHDF alumna from our Aspen Class of 2023. Sarahí's journey and insights beautifully illustrate the transformative power of long-term support and community investment. Watch the Denver7 interview.
These stories help raise awareness about the critical work being done to support youth and families in Boulder County—and we're proud to share them with you! Please help us spread the word by sharing these pieces with others who may be interested in our mission and the outstanding graduates who are making a difference.
Golf Tournament & Luncheon Success!
What an incredible season of coming together to support Dreamer Scholars! We're deeply grateful to everyone who joined us for two wonderful events this year.
22nd Annual Golf Tournament (July 27, 2025) Thank you to all the golfers, sponsors, and supporters who made our tournament such a fun and successful day! We raised over $70,000 while introducing many new friends to our work—and had a great time doing it.
Keeping the Dream Alive Luncheon (September 5, 2025) Our annual luncheon was filled with energy, hope, and connection as longtime IHDF champions gathered alongside new friends discovering our mission for the first time. Thanks to the incredible generosity in the room, we raised well over $300,000, taking major steps toward meeting our 2025 funding needs!
We're grateful for every person who attended, supported, or cheered us on. Together, we're making dreams possible!
We look forward to more great events in 2026.
Celebrating 35 Years of Seeing Dreams Become Reality!
This year marks an incredible milestone—35 years of "I Have A Dream" Foundation of Boulder County! As we reflect on more than three decades of working with Dreamer Scholars and their families, we're filled with gratitude for everyone who has made this journey possible.
We sat down earlier this year with Annette Taylor, one of our founding board members who has been with IHDF since day one. From serving as our first board president to mentoring, tutoring, and building the community partnerships that remain vital to our success, Annette's dedication embodies the heart of our mission. In her interview, she shares the inspiration behind bringing "I Have A Dream" to Boulder, the power of our long-term commitment from first grade through college, and why she's stayed involved for 35 years: "I believe in the program... there are always ways to help, and we have shown over the years that 'I Have a Dream' works."
Stay tuned for more celebration and stories as we continue honoring this milestone into early 2025—there's much more to come!
Looking for a meaningful way to brighten a Dreamer Scholar's day? Our Amazon Wishlist makes it easy to send fun, tangible gifts that enrich students' experiences across all our program sites—from school supplies that support academic excellence to resources that nurture well-being and creativity.
Timing note: Because our offices will be closed December 20 through January 4, we encourage donations to arrive by Friday, December 19 or January 5 or after. Don't worry—gifts received in January will still bring plenty of joy and learning to our Dreamers!
How to Send Gifts from Our Wishlist:
- Visit our Amazon Wishlist at https://a.co/99u8OhL
- Browse or search for items:
- Scroll through the list to see all items—the requesting site name appears in the comments for each item
- Use the search box to filter items by specific site (enter "Alicia," "Carbon Valley," "NoBo," or "Postsecondary" to see items requested by that site)
- Select an item you'd like to donate and click "Add to Cart"
- During checkout, our organization's delivery address will appear as the default shipping address—simply select it (you won't need to enter it manually). It's also at the end of this email, should you need it.
- Complete your order and Amazon will ship the item directly to us
- Optional: You can include a gift message to encourage our Dreamers!
Your donation is tax-deductible. Please keep your receipt for your records, and feel free to email us at info@ihaveadreamboulder.org if you have any questions.
Run for Fun & Fund the Dream!
