Consumer OUTREACH
People with disabilities and our friends and families control over $13 trillion in annual disposable income.
Increase your brand goodwill and demonstrate your corporate social responsibility by investing in disability inclusion as a Dream Big Partner.
Talent RECRUITMENT
Attracting and retaining talent is a top priority for organizations in every industry.
About 70% of US employees say work largely defines their sense of purpose and 39% have turned down or not pursued a job at a company that didn’t seem inclusive enough. Dream Big Partners signal they believe in building a brighter future for all of us.
Employee ENGAGEMENT
Teambuilding is critical to your organization’s success, but employees dread most of the activities.
Dream Big Camp is an opportunity to make it a rewarding experience that employees look forward to! When your team helps students expand the possibilities for their futures, it will recharge everyone.
Community IMPACT
Middle school is when students start to diverge, beginning a path to college and career success or disengaging. Disabled youth are less likely to be encouraged to dream big about their futures. Together we can change that.
Investing in disability inclusion is how we create a world where disabled people thrive.
What does it mean to be a Dream Big Partner?
Each day in Dream Big Camp, middle and high school students with disabilities explore careers and build confidence in their disability identity. The Dream Big Team leads the curriculum portion of the day, and we partner with top inclusive companies to help the students see possibilities for their futures.
Our Partners are companies and organizations that talk with the students about their work, the problems they are solving and all the different roles and skills they need to do that. Partners engage the students with a hands-on activity related to their work. It’s always a bonus when employees with disabilities can join the conversations and talk directly with students about their experience being welcomed and valued at their organization.
Partners often host a visit and lunch, but sometimes visit us a Camp instead. The Dream Big Team works with each company to develop a day that makes an impact for students.
There were 50+ employees that participated in the Dream Big Day for the kids and every one of them asked to come back again next year because they had so much fun!
We had so many people volunteer to help, we had to turn them away. We even had a mentor come in from [the east coast] to participate because he felt so strongly that these kids needed to see someone with a visible disability successfully working in a big company with a very good job.
I truly do not know who this day helps more, your campers or our employees that participate. It’s a day that brings so many employees together across many different areas all for one purpose – to make the day as fantastic as possible for your campers. Thank you!
~ Dream Big Partner
A Value Add: Increase Your Team’s Cultural Competency
As a Dream Big Partner, your team will benefit in significant ways.
Each of our Partners participates in a disability inclusion training session that ensures a positive experience for our students and adds to your employees’ toolboxes, whether welcoming a new colleague with a disability or better understanding the needs of your many disabled customers.
This training is led by our team of experts, who also have disabilities themselves, and makes a tremendous impact for all those who participate. Usually a $2,500 training, the workshop is required and complimentary for our Dream Big Partners.
We ask our Partners to support this program with a $2,500 stipend. Our Team spends significant time with each Partner preparing for the day and employees truly love being a part of it. All of our Partners leave the experience knowing they’ve helped build a brighter community for each of us!
Timeline
- October Confirm your company’s participation in Dream Big Career Camp for the following summer. This is a good time to request a modest budget to make your camp day successful.
- November Recruit a group of volunteers to help plan your camp day. Recruit company-wide, but look to your employee resource group, talent acquisition and DEIA departments, and enlist an executive sponsor.
- February All dates for company visits must be confirmed. Black your calendars.
- March Your team attends a virtual training, “Welcoming and Accommodating Youth with Disabilities.” This training is mandatory for participation in the program.
- April Continue planning your Dream Big camp day. Plan for a 3 to 4 hour engagement.
- May Logistics finalized and submitted to program staff.
- June/July Welcome your Dreamers! Take photos and share widely!
Partner Requirements
- Disability inclusion training session for all employees engaging with our students (training on Zoom)
- $2,500 stipend/sponsorship (fully tax deductible)
Your company’s financial support is just as critical as your team’s participation. In return for this experience, your stipend funds things like:- door-to-door transportation for students who need it
- workbooks and other materials for students
- stipends for Camp counselors, often college and graduate students with disabilities, who mentor Dream Big students throughout the week
- our team’s work creating this experience for your company and our students (possibly your future employees!)
- For a great Dream Big Camp day, plan 3 hours of engaging activities, including:
- a hands-on activity for students to learn more about some aspect of your company’s work
- lunch during our visit
- a space we can gather as a group (about 30 people)
With a growing list of companies eager to partner with us, priority is given to companies who provide their stipend. We invite any nonprofit organizations or others with questions about their financial commitment to set up a meeting with us to learn more.
Contact our Dream Big Coordinator for more information: Danielle Giuffrida at dgiuffrida@starkloff.org or (314) 588-7090. Or simply fill out the form below and we will get in touch!
