our story

DAWN is the brainchild of a single parent who in the midst of researching and creating enrichment opportunities, camps, after school programs … for her two young girls that would nurture, encourage, challenge, motivate, and bring about happiness and joy to them both mentally and physically, on a limited budget were faced with challenges. Those amazing programs were very costly, and in addition, the scholarships were always limited. Even if the highest scholarship was awarded by an organization, it still did not fully cover the expenses of the program, and that often made ‘being a part of’ unattainable for the girls. Many of the great programs insist on parents having a vested interest in their scholars as part of the programs. Awarded scholarships out there that cover the entire cost of programs are not very common. The gap was usually too wide, and at times, she would have to turn down the scholarship, because coming up with the “gap’ amount would create financial hardships on the family for an experience that would be life changing for a young scholar. ‘If only I could get a GAP Scholarship to make it possible, she would say to herself in those quiet moments alone. On few occasions, she was able to reach out to friend owed business who contributed and turn those Impossible into ’Possible!’

It was at that time she had an “Ahhh Haaa” moment, as Oprah would say. “My situation cannot be an isolated one. I’m certain there are other parents who are facing those same challenges if not similar. If only there as an organization that would provide ‘GAP’ (Giving a Possibility) Scholarships? “That, Ma Dear! was the birth of D.A.W.N – Dream About What’s Next.

Dream About What’s Next (DAWN) is a not for profit corporation that supports middle and high school youth in the New York city area studying in the fields of theatre, music, visual arts, dance and sports. Our goal is to encourage and nurture the development and artistic growth of those in need of a supportive environment.

The GAP scholarships are awarded to provide access to training that promotes artistic excellence, creativity and innovation. These programs will support, enhance, and empower the skill and/or talent that the scholar already possess, and/or match the scholar with a program that will allow the youth to grow and flourish in something they are passionate about.

DAWN believes in the abilities of all children and OUR goal is to help make a difference in the lives of our Youth. Such sentiments were echoed in a quote by Nelson Mandela – “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”