News & Media
News Features
“Scholar with a Cause” The Almanac April 18, 2012
Recently named a Gates Cambridge Scholar, Atherton’s local paper The Almanac sits down with Sarah Mummah, Executive Director of DreamCatchers and wracks her brain to discover the motivation and passion behind the program. What started as a temporary summer project with Stanford volunteers teaching and mentoring kids is now an established, award-winning program based in Palo Alto — and was likely to have been among the credentials that stood out for the panel of applicant reviewers who recently chose Ms. Mummah as one of 40 Americans named 2012 Gates Cambridge Scholars….
“Catching hold of their dreams” Palo Alto Weekly December 3, 2010
Nonprofit tutoring program for Palo Alto students teaches more than academics.
Tutor Annie Osborn was negotiating with Jordan Middle School seventh-grader Eunice Navarro earlier this week over Eunice’s daily homework schedule. They’d already sketched out an hour for homework in the afternoon and were now eyeing the after-dinner slot…
…The philosophy of the three-year-old nonprofit, which received a $5,000 grant from the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund this past year, is that students can develop their intelligence and talents through hard work and learned skills and strategies. This “growth mindset,” an idea formulated by Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck, points to potential that is not limited by family circumstances or innate gifts…
“No Teacher Left Behind” Stanford University Human Biology Newsletter Fall 2009
Human Biology Senior, Sarah Mummah (HB ’10), is hoping to inspire a new generation of student leaders in education by creating a program that encourages Stanford students to positively influence our nation’s education system, whatever their chosen career path may be…
Press Coverage
Nonprofits receive $353K in Holiday Fund grants Palo Alto Weekly May 4, 2012
Sarah Mummah, Founder of DreamCatchers, speaks about the program and receiving a grant from the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund during a reception on April 30.
“A lot of people don’t realize that there are low-income families in Palo Alto whose parents didn’t graduate from high school or middle school,” Mummah said. “This is a really impactful grant for us. …It’s really going to do wonders for our ability to continue to scale and improve our work within the Palo Alto community.”
Community celebrates Roland Prize, partnership awards Stanford News–The Dish April 30, 2012
During an April 25 luncheon at the Garden Court Hotel in Palo Alto, Calif., three community groups and a Stanford student organization were recognized with 2012 Community Partnership Awards. This year’s winners were: DreamCatchers, an after-school program for low-income youth…
Stanford News Service videographer Steve Fyffe captured the festivities in this video.
Stanford’s Community Partnership Awards recognize work of DreamCatchers, Canopy, InnVision and Stanford Project on Hunger Stanford Report April 17, 2012
Winners are selected based on their initiative, leadership and involvement in projects that embody the spirit of genuine partnership and benefit the overall community.
DreamCatchers works through a network of local partnerships – the Palo Alto Family YMCA, the Palo Alto Adult School, Palo Alto Unified School District and Palo Alto Housing Corporation – to provide programs tailored to the specific needs of the youth and families.
Initiated a few years ago by Stanford students, the programs are led by students and recent graduates, who also serve in capacities ranging from tutors to site directors.
Palo Alto University Hosts 3rd Town and Gown Event PRWeb April 17, 2012
PAU’s “Power of Youth” event brings together community educators and Gunn High School students for landmark event on April 27.
Panelists include Ms. Sarah Mummah, executive director and founder of DreamCatchers…who founded the organization to build a highly effective, low cost afterschool model that improves the education outcomes and health behaviors of low-income youth.
Stanford alumna named a 2012 Gates Cambridge Scholar Stanford Report February 17, 2012
Mummah was one of 40 Americans selected for 2012 scholarships by the Gates Cambridge Trust. The new scholars are outstanding men and women who are intellectually stellar, likely to be future leaders and committed to improving the lives of others.
Currently, Mummah is the executive director of DreamCatchers, a nonprofit she founded as a Stanford undergraduate in 2008… Under Mummah’s leadership, the nonprofit has received several awards, including a Community Star Award from the City of Palo Alto Mayor and, most recently, a U.S. Congressional Certificate of Recognition.
Palo Alto Family YMCA Honored with Continuing Service Award at City’s PTA Annual Honorary Awards PRLog June 10, 2011
The Honorary Service Award was presented to DreamCatchers, a Y partnership and unique after-school tutoring program at the Ventura Teen Center started by a student, staffed by students, and for the benefit of students. It strives to foster an environment where students receive homework help and seek help from tutors for mentoring and empowerment. Programming at the center develops teens from low-income households to help them pursue and achieve their academic and life goals. Students work closely with personally matched tutors who cultivate strong mentoring relationships with the students throughout the school year. What makes DreamCatchers successful is two-fold: a curriculum that instills skills and the mindset necessary to achieve academically and a dedicated group of tutors who receive professional development that builds their tutoring skills.
Palo Alto City Council Honors the DreamCatchers Tutoring Program Palo Alto News and Announcements June 1, 2009
Mayor Peter Drekmeier and the Palo Alto City Council will honor the DreamCatchers after-school tutoring program at the Palo Alto City Council meeting on Monday, June 1, 2009. A proclamation will be read recognizing DreamCatchers’ significant contribution to the strength and wellbeing of our community.
“I’m so happy for my son to have the opportunity to be in the DreamCatchers program. My son is in 8th grade and after working with his DreamCatchers tutor, his grades in math really improved,” said Lucia Peguero, a Palo Alto parent. “His tutor now helps him with science and social studies too.”
“The development and success of DreamCatchers is entirely due to the collaborators’ interest and dedication to meeting an identified need among middle school youth,” said Sharon Murphy, Child & Family Resources, City of Palo Alto. “The City of Palo Alto is very proud of this cooperative accomplishment.”
Newsletters
DreamCatchers Newsletter Winter 2012
“I have been working with DreamCatchers for the last three years now, and I have never been more proud. The dedication, passion, and hard work of dozens of volunteers and committed staff members has materialized into amazing growth and expansion for our program. This year, we are serving the largest number of students in our history: across three sites, we have over 40 student-tutor pairs, and counting!…
DreamCatchers Newsletter Spring 2011
In only it’s third year in the Palo Alto community, DreamCatchers has continued its goal to provide free, one-on-one tutoring for underserved middle school students across the Palo Alto community. DreamCatchers’ innovative curriculum and close-knit community has garnered critical acclaim and support from the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund and the YMCA in Palo Alto…
