Introduction of New Mentoring Coordinator

We are pleased and excited to introduce Vanessa Espinoza as the new Mentoring Coordinator of West Liberty Youth Dream Catchers!!!
Vanessa was born in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico, and lived the first years of her life in a very small town called Rancho La Hoya. When she was six years old, her family moved to Iowa, where her dad found a job at IBP in Columbus Junction. The family settled in Conesville, and Vanessa graduated from high school in 2010.

“It was very important to me to reward young people who have overcome adversity from a young age,” says Vanessa.

After high school, Vanessa attended Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa before enrolling at the University of Northern Iowa, where she graduated in 2015 with a degree in Spanish with a focus on teaching and learning. Upon graduation, she was employed in the Mid-Prairie schools, teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) and Spanish.

In 2018, Vanessa was inducted into the Iowa State Latino Hall of Fame!

The organization said that despite her young age, she "has programmed innovative initiatives, has been successful in her academic life, and has planned her professional career, but always with a laser-like focus on raising up the Latino community in Iowa."

Vanessa completed her Master's degree from Iowa State University in May 2019.

​Support West Liberty Youth Dream Catchers!

13th Annual Golf Tournament​
Saturday May 14, 2022
​Click Here 

CARES Act Charitable Giving Incentives
Did you know the CARES Act now allows taxpayers who do not itemize deductions to deduct up to $300 to qualifying charitable organizations and nonprofits like West Liberty Youth Dream Catchers. The deduction– considered an above-the-line deduction for charitable contributions– reduces taxable income on your 2020 federal tax return after your adjusted gross income (AGI) has been calculated while you still claim the standard deduction.  Please consider making an additional donation to West Liberty Youth Dream Catchers this year. Thank you!

Amazon Smile
With stores closed and social distancing encouraged, people are shopping online more than ever.
When you shop on Amazon, .5% of your purchases can be donated to West Liberty Youth Dream Catchers. Simply log in to your existing Amazon account through https://smile.amazon.com/ and select West Liberty Youth Dream Catchers.

West Liberty Youth Dream Catchers

1

Empowerment
Five third graders are selected each year to participate in the West Liberty Youth Dream Catchers program.
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2

Mentoring
Students are matched with local volunteers from all walks of life and mentored throughout their participation in the program.
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3

Scholarship
Kids who complete the program and graduate from high school are given a scholarship to attend an institution of higher learning.
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I like Dream Catchers. I love going on the field trips. It’s an honor to be in this program. I loved my mentor! Overall Dream Catchers is one of the best things that has ever happened to me! When i say this i think I’m speaking for all the students in this program.”
—Vivian Ramirez, Age 12

I like Dream Catchers. It is a great program. I like the field trips. Some of my friends are in the program too, so I get to hang out with them. My sister is in the program. This program is something nice to be in. It’s going to help you all they way through high school.”
—Grecia Ramirez, Age 10

​Dream Catchers has helped me a lot. In third grade I used to get F’s and now I get A’s and B’s. They have also supported me in many things such as school, self esteem, personality and courage for trying new things. It is cool to because we do many things like have field trips and visit different people and also learn interesting facts. Plus we have mentors which helps a lot like with reading, homework and grades. I don’t know where I’d be without Dream Catchers, It’s the best.”
—Randy Tapia