I Have A Dream Scholarship

In fourth grade, Elizabeth Najera was handed a blank key. It didn’t unlock anything, but this small token opened a world of possibilities for her and 63 classmates at Washington Elementary. This cohort was the first of four classes selected by I Have A Dream of Southwest Washington, a program designed to help students prepare for, get into and graduate from college.

Najera already had the determination and smarts to excel in school, but the data wasn’t as optimistic. Her class was part of a Title 1 school, which meant fewer supports and resources in the classroom and at home. I Have A Dream (IHAD) aimed to fill those gaps.

It wouldn’t be easy though. The model required five donors to commit $100,000 each over ten years. Thankfully, Mary Granger was launching the local chapter. She was a go-getter who stood at the center of local philanthropy.

Within a year, Granger and five donors were presenting keys to Elizabeth’s class, who would come to be known as “Dreamers.” Family members filled the cafeteria and shared happy tears and smiles after hearing the program’s big incentive: college scholarships.

“We didn’t know it then, but I Have A Dream helped us keep the dream of college alive,” Najera said. “It also provided mentors who showed me the doors I needed to open to earn my degree.”

Those personal relationships proved more valuable than any scholarship. Program staff and volunteers provided enrichment opportunities and day-to-day mentoring that students credit most for their success. IHAD’s comprehensive support helped increase on-time graduation rates to 89 percent for the 333 students who participated across four classes.

While rising tuition costs and other factors contributed to the program’s closure in 2018, the dream lives on through its students. Many are now working in and contributing to local communities. Najera herself owns a successful accounting and consulting firm. She also gives back as the executive director of Latino Community Resource Group.

The program has also entered a new phase. With $490,000 remaining, IHAD’s executive board established the “I Have A Dream” Scholarship in Honor of Mary and Dick Granger at the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington. Each year, this scholarship awards up to $50,000 to students facing barriers to education, including the original “Dreamers” and their children.

These scholarships have become the new key for another generation of students and future leaders. Elizabeth Najera spoke about the difference these awards make at the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington’s 40th Anniversary Celebration. Hear her impact story from the event in the video below.