The Dream Team

The core and crux of what we do! The Dream Team is what we were found on and continues to be our primary piece of programming that we deliver at Burke and North Charleston High School. We work with high school students to plan and then executive social impact projects that make a direct and meaningful difference on a community need of their choosing. What that means is, we figure out what our students think are the most pressing problems, we work with them to research and plan a project, and then actually do it! We put our money where our mouth is and engage with service - helping those who need it most here in out city.

Our students know and understand the problems that plague their schools and neighborhoods. We don’t have to tell them. So we give them the space and the resources to actually do something about it. The best part about service is that there is no pre-requisite students need to learn or experience like in school. It also empowers our students. They are able to see how strong they are and how much of an impact they can make on people’s lives - building up their confidence and self-worth! They also learn the personal and professional skills that ALL high school graduates must have in order to thrive. Service is our vehicle to teach communication, budgeting, detail-oriented planning, problem solving, and critical thinking. So not only are the people in our community who require help getting it, but our students are learning to be productive and capable leaders at the same point!

 
 
 
 

Our projects have ranged from running a paint pour with the SPED department at Sanders-Clyde Elementary to decorating Joseph Floyd Manor for Christmas to building playhouses for community centers. They are student-driven and we tackle any issues that they believe needs addressing!

By inspiring students to create positive change through unique social impact projects, Doors to Dream:

  1. Connects students with the community

  2. Cultivates their skills with confidence

  3. Compels students to take action with compassion.

We want to give our students the KEYS to unlocking doors to success. Successful Leaders know themselves, empathize, take responsibility for themselves and have self management skills that set them apart. Our students will leave our programs with a sophisticated set of these KEYS to change not just the course of their own individual lives but throughout Charleston and beyond. 

An essential part of our service is celebrating our accomplishments. Our students work incredibly hard to put others above themselves and deserve to be acknowledged for their efforts. At the end of each school year, we participate in Public Service Pitch Day through the organization Students in Action. It is an opportunity to present on our service for the year in front of a panel of community leaders and student service groups across the Lowcountry. While this day often brings the most nerves, it also results in the biggest smiles. Students have to show bravery and confidence while bragging on themselves and their work, answering questions off the cuff, and getting judged on their work!

In 2022, North Charleston High School brought home a Gold Banner, the Student Choice Award, and Rookie Team of the Year for the state of South Carolina! They won it for their Anti-Violence Week where they hosted a panel of experts to teach about healthy relationships and a basketball tournament to raise money for Turn90!

 
 

In 2021, Burke High School brought home the Legacy Award for the project with the longest effectiveness for building a play house at the Pink House Community Center.