Ford Dimension and Dream Builders Student Leadership Program

The 2023 Applications are closed. Thank you for your interest in our program, and we look forward to finding our class of 2024!

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

December 5th at 7:30pm
Information Night at KHSD Board Room 5801 Sundale Ave

Evening of December 5th
Applications go live on our website

January 15th by 12pm
Applications turned into your school counselor

January 26th-30th
Notification about making it to the interview process

February 1st-March 8th
Interviews at each school site

Mid March
Ice Cream Social third interview

The New board will be announced at the beginning of April!

Typically, approximately 200 students apply for the opportunity to represent the youth of our community on the Ford Dimension-Dream Builder student leadership board. The final selection of 32 achieving students is based on a point system involving the entire pool of candidates, not individual high schools.

Team projects are the focus of our year together. The Ford Dream Builders are split into teams of 8 and are paired with one of our corporate sponsors. With the guidance of amazing adult advisors, each team creates, implements and provides a legacy for a project that will benefit Bakersfield. In March, the teams present their projects to the community at our annual Dream Builders Awards Night.

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 73 civic projects.

Dream Builder and Ford Dimension students attend bimonthly, 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, speakers will include Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh, Executive Coach & Founder of Hunsicker Coaching International- Chris Hunsicker, VP of People & Culture- Maria Paine, Founder & President of Hey Salty- Justin Salters, Co-Owner of Countryside Corporation- Raji Brar, as well as alumni Renee Massey, Katie Werdel, Spencer Lewis and George Hay.