The Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund was founded in 1996 by Susie Kay, who taught American Government at H.D. Woodson High School in Washington, DC for over a decade. The organization began as a one-day event, a 3-on-3 charity basketball tournament staged to raise money for academic college scholarships for Kay's students. Since then, still led by Susie Kay, a committed group of dedicated volunteers, supporters and a small staff has worked to grow the effort into a year-round not-for-profit organization committed to expanding the academic and career horizons of Washington, DC public school students.
Hoop Dreams provides inner city DC public high school students with academic college scholarships and connects them to the regional business community and a network of greater opportunities through a core program of college preparation mentoring, internships, service-learning activities, SAT prep courses and ongoing support once students are in college. Since 1996, Hoop Dreams has brought together over 1000 students and mentors; facilitated hundreds of internships; engaged over 1,000 volunteers in community work; and helped nearly 700 students reach college with 900 college scholarships and renewals totaling nearly $2.5 million. The vast majority of these students are the first in their family to attend or graduate from college and come from a single parent household. Out of the first small classes of Hoop Dreams scholars, over 80 have achieved their college degree and the organization is now energized by these alumni returning as volunteers, mentors and young community leaders.
Hoop Dreams offers a unique opportunity for Washington professionals from the corporate, government, and non-profit sectors to come together with local, inner-city high school students, to prepare these young people for college and career success. At the beginning of each school year, approximately 80 DC students chosen from our four partner schools, HD Woodson, Academy of Finance and Business located at HD Woodson, Ballou, Banneker and Washington Math, Science and Technology are paired with local professionals to participate in regimented program of monthly workshops and one-on-one meetings. The intensive curriculum includes inspirational speakers and target activities focused on the college application and selection process, as well as life skills development. During the eight-month program lasting friendships are formed that have a long-term impact on both student and mentor.
The Hoop Dreams Mentoring effort began in 1998 and since that time more than 500 high school seniors have been paired with mentors in a mutually enriching partnership. Mentoring workshops are now held on the campus of George Washington University as a result of an outstanding partnership with this institution. In addition to the personal connections, the program is paying big academic dividends: in 2003 Hoop Dreams Mentoring Program students had a college enrollment rate of 98%.
As part of the expanding efforts of Hoop Dreams, an invaluable partnership with The Princeton Review was formed in 1999. The program provides the prestigious SAT preparation courses to participating students free of charge. Nearly 400 students in our mentoring program have participated in The Princeton Review-Hoop Dreams Partnership Program with excellent results – students have increased their scores by as much as 200 points.
Nearly 200 Hoop Dreams students have served internships in businesses and government agencies throughout the city learning valuable life skills and developing important career networks. Among the prestigious Washington, DC organizations which have offered Hoop Dreams internships are: US Airways; Congressional offices; NASA; NBC 4; MCI Center and Washington Sports & Entertainment; the State Department; KPMG; Friedman, Billings, Ramsey; BET, Allen & Shariff; APCO; Janus-Merritt Strategies; National Association of Manufacturers; Ventana Productions; and Hogan & Hartson.
Drawing on its origins as a community event organized by volunteers, Hoop Dreams places great value on the lessons and importance of community service. The 2004 school kicked off with mentors and students volunteering at DC Central Kitchen. In April, Hoop Dreams partnered for the second year in row with the Earth Conservation Corps to organize a National Youth Service Day project cleaning up portions of the Anacostia Riverbank. Over 100 Hoop Dreams mentors and students joined over 60 additional participants for a great day of service.
Through the efforts of a dedicated team of volunteers and an inspired group of financial supporters, Hoop Dreams has grown dramatically since 1996. Led by ‘founding sponsor' EDS, Hoop Dreams was able in its third year to gain free office space and bring on a small but dedicated staff. Despite its growth, Hoop Dreams remains committed to the value of volunteer driven efforts.
The tireless work of key volunteers and a network of friends throughout the city remains the foundation of our success. Working to expand the program and the students served, Hoop Dreams continues to enlist the efforts of volunteers and supporters from across the entire District, Maryland, and Virginia region all working to invest in the future of the nation's capitol and its youth.
