

SERVICE OVER SELF


SERVICE OVER SELF
THE PROGRAM
Yearly, 22 high school seniors are accepted to participate in the Dream Builders student leadership program. All selected students have demonstrated leadership, community involvement, and academic success. Dream Builder students are teamed with Ford Dimension students, corporate sponsors and advisors and charged with developing a community service project. The goal of Dream Builders is to instill in students a sense of “Service over self.”

HISTORY
In 2003, Ford Dimension Alumni along with the Jim Burke Education Foundation created the Dream Builders leadership program for achieving high school seniors. This year-long program focuses on civic responsibility, life skills, and leadership development through the creation of significant community service projects. Since its inception Dream Builder student leaders have developed 69 civic projects.

MONDAY MEETINGS
Dream Builder and Ford Dimension students attend biweekly, Monday night meetings designed to develop leadership, character, communication and career building skills. Socktober (pictured above) is the kick-off meeting for their annual socks drive for the needy.
Community and business leaders are a key part of most meetings. This year guest speakers include Blaine Hodges, Chad Manning, Henry Ford III, educator Dr. Lakesha Ray as well as alumni Renee Massey, Katie Werdel, George Hay and surprise corporate guests.

CORPORATE SPONSORS
Every year, four civic-minded corporate sponsors provide mentorship and guidance to a Dream Builders team. Past sponsors include Castle & Cooke, Rabobank, Wells Fargo Bank, Kern School Federal Credit Union, American General Media and Bright House Networks.
2020-2022
Dream Builders Corporate Sponsors
Aera Energy LLC
Bank of the Sierra
Dignity Health, Mercy and Memorial Hospital
The Garlic Company

CREATING FUTURE LEADERS
TEAM PROJECTS
2004 TEAM PROJECTS
Boys & Girls Club Kid’s Fair: Health, education, community support groups represented
Esteem Team: Program for elementary school children focusing on self-esteem
Bakersfield Homeless Shelter: “Spring Fling” dinner, dancing, carnival for the clients
Sweets for seniors: Connecting young hearts with the forgotten elderly through valentines
2005 TEAM PROJECTS
Dreams Still Come True: 1940’s USO musical variety show for the “greatest generation”
Boys & Girls Club: Trash can painting contest turned into an environmental art mural
Jamison Center: “Extreme Makeover, Garden Edition” provided a new play courtyard
Get Up, Get Out, Get Movin, Get Fit: Elementary school program on obesity & fitness
Madera Children’s Hospital: “Children Reaching Kids” gave get well cards/signs to sick kids
2006 TEAM PROJECTS
Bright Futures Recycling: Educating elementary students about recycling & B.A.R.C.
Senior Fit Club-Fall Proof Project: Students designed & taught a senior fitness class
Family Free Day: A day at the Bakersfield Museum of Art dedicated to families and art
S.O.S.–Support Our Soldiers: Over 3,000 student cards were sent to soldiers overseas
2007 TEAM PROJECTS
F.R.I.E.N.D.S: Vignettes for students with autism
Anti-G’s: Anti Gang and Graffiti awareness and art
One Team, One Dream: Every Fifteen Minutes Drinking & Driving Project
Operation Home Front: Students provided videos & support for troops and families
2008 TEAM PROJECTS
Fit & Fun 4 Everyone: An after school program to combat obesity and improve health
Dear Hero: A school assembly highlighting Veterans and their junior high pen-pals
Coloring Our Community: Children at the homeless shelter cut, color and paint with artists
H.E.R.O.E.S.: An interactive puppet show teaches children to stand up to bullies
2009 TEAM PROJECTS
Share Your Sole: Homeless shelter children received new shoes, mentoring and self esteem lessons
Music For the Ages: A series of musical performances for the elderly at retirement homes
P.L.A.Y.: A new outdoor play area for children with autism at the Lori Brock Learning Center
S.T.A.M.P.: Creating music from recycled for a school performance with a jungle theme
2010 TEAM PROJECTS
Healthy Choice Informants: Children learned about healthy living and exercise by building a garden
Art for Special Kids: Deaf students learned to express themselves through art and music
Junior Einstein Mad Scientists: Hands on science projects helped spark interests in science careers.
McDream Builders: Raised awareness for the Ronald McDonald House throughout local hospitals.
2011 TEAM PROJECTS
Gleaners Outreach Operatives: Students express gratitude for snacks donated by Gleaners
Becoming Active Mentors: Workshops encourage Garden Pathways students to follow their passions
Heart Beat Elite: “Healthy Super-Heroes” taught kids to be healthy with exercise and nutritional games
Students with Awesome Goals: Taught kids about science and healthy eating by building a garden
2012 TEAM PROJECTS
H.O.P. (Helping Others Play): Refurbished the playground at the Lori Brock Children’s Center
Get Fit: Created a cookbook and cooking lessons with the Mercy Learning Center Students
Pedalpalooza: Raised bike awareness through a community bike parade with Bike Bakersfield
A Community Act: Exposed Garden Pathways students to the fine arts with professional workshops
2013 TEAM PROJECTS
Running for Ronald: Educated and inspired children to support the Ronald McDonald House
heART Therapy: Provided art workshop for Autistic students then displayed their finished artwork
Fuel the Future: Motivated children to stay in school to achieve their future dreams with presentations
Got the Dot?: Film festival where participants described the importance of organ and tissue donation
2014 TEAM PROJECTS
Memories in Flight: Partnered with Honor Flight Kern County and worked with WWII Veterans to preserve their stories for future generations
Fresh: Promoted an active healthy lifestyle for busy people at Haggin Oaks Farmer’s Market
Bright House Builders – Plaza Tower Edition: Improve quality of life for Plaza Towers Residents
Freshman Five: Helped over 1,000 junior high students prepare for the transition into high school
2015 TEAM PROJECTS
Water Warriors: They saved 1,000,000 gallons of water and created awareness for water conservation
Hearts for the Home: Created a Valentine’s Day celebration for the families at the Homeless Shelter
Smiles Across the Generations: Hosted a Valentine Social for the elderly at Glenwood Gardens.
Undercover Agents: Raised awareness for undergarment donations for foster and needy children
2016 TEAM PROJECTS
You’re Worth More: Created educational videos to raise awareness and provide solutions for cyberbullying
Kind is the New Cool: Created original videos and K-8 curriculum to promote kindness at schools and in the community
The Need to Read: Inspired students to read by allowing them to create their own stories and books. The team also created a mini lending library for Fremont Elementary
Block On!: Raised awareness of skin cancer and provided skin cancer screenings for the community
2017 TEAM PROJECTS
Undo Type 2: Educated families at the PAL center on how to prevent Type 2 Diabetes
YOUniversity: Motivated all youth that college is for everyone
Operation Thank You: Created a short film thanking veterans and their families for their service
Let’s Globe: Educated students at the Boys & Girls Club about diversity and understanding of other cultures
2018 TEAM PROJECTS
Hidden In Plain Sight: Created a video and curriculum about Human Trafficking to educate students.
Best Buddies: Introduced Best Buddies program to high schools to encourage involvement
with Special Education students.
S.T.E.P.: Developed interactive workshops for senior citizens focusing on health and lifestyle issues.
S.T.A.N.D for Dogs: Educated community about dog care, adoption, and services. Collected 4,000 lbs. of dog food for shelters.