On May 3, this year’s Summer of Dreams program kicked off as part of Fifth Third Bank’s Fifth Third Day at Lake Eola Park. Summer of Dreams, which was launched in 2011 and has been sponsored by Fifth Third Bank since the beginning, is a 10-week program that provides homeless students with meals, academic enrichment, mentoring and school supplies as well as financial counseling for parents and students.
“The Summer of Dreams program gives me a safe place to go every day during the summer,” says Damon Brown, an eighth grader from Memorial Middle School and third year participant in the program. He addressed the crowd during the kick-off celebrations. “My grandfather didn’t have to worry about me while I was there, and it gave him time to get back on his feet and helped us get back together as a family.”
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer says, “When school is out for summer, Summer of Dreams is a critical program that helps ensure there is no gap in resources for these children so they can stay both healthy and prepared for the next academic year.”