Dream in NOVA

05/24/2026

Our cosmetology students did an amazing job on their final day, and we could not be more proud of everything they accomplished over the course of this year long program. The program kicked off in the fall where students learned about makeup best practices and application techniques alongside industry professionals. For the second half of the year, the focus shifted to hairstyling, where the girls continued to grow and impress us with what they were able to learn and produce.

Watching these students develop their skills over the course of the year has been rewarding. None of this would have been possible without our wonderful instructors who generously gave their time and expertise to make this program a success. A heartfelt thank you to our lead instructor Karina and assistant instructors Melvis and Maria. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication to these young women and to the mission of Dream in NOVA.

We also want to recognize the teacher clients who’ve supported the girls throughout this program and donated their time and faces!

The Dream in NOVA Cosmetology After School Program was created to expand opportunities for students by providing real, hands on skills in the beauty industry, while also opening doors to entrepreneurship and financial independence for young people. Programs like this exist because of the support of volunteers, donors, and community members who believe every student deserves access to a brighter future.

If you would like to learn more about the program or get involved, visit us at www.dreaminnova.org/workforce/cosmetology-program

Please consider making a donation to support our mission!
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-7673

Manassas Park City Schools

05/21/2026

05/17/2026

This past Saturday, Dream in NOVA, in partnership with the Manassas City Police Department and Manassas Park Police Department, hosted students from across the Greater Prince William region for an inspiring and impactful Dream Career Experience for law enforcement.

Throughout the program, students heard directly from law enforcement professionals who shared their personal career journeys, life experiences, challenges, and successes. These authentic conversations provided powerful lessons on the importance of identifying your goals, working your plan, building meaningful relationships and professional networks, and most importantly, embracing the principle of service above self.

To conclude the experience, students traveled to Washington, D.C. on the final day of National Police Week, where they visited the sacred grounds of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Standing among the engraved names of the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others provided a powerful moment of reflection, gratitude, and remembrance, reinforcing the enduring message to Respect. Honor. Remember.

Students also toured the National Law Enforcement Museum, where they explored the rich history, traditions, evolution, and diverse career pathways within the law enforcement profession. Through immersive exhibits, historical artifacts, and interactive experiences, students gained valuable insight into the profession’s enduring legacy of service, leadership, resilience, and community engagement.

Experiences like these help inspire the next generation of leaders by connecting them with purpose, history, mentorship, and the importance of serving something greater than themselves.

Immense thank you Officer TJ Rodriguez, Officer Victor Roselli, and Mr. Jordon for making this such a memorable experience for the students. Thank you to the police departments for your partnership.

City of Manassas Park Police Department
Bridging Futures Mentorship Program
Manassas City Police Department
Prince William County Public Schools

05/13/2026

!MERCH ALERT! We are SO excited to announce that Dream in NOVA merch is officially available for pre-order! We have two styles dropping now and every dollar of profit goes directly back into our community programs.

Unisex and perfect for the gym, golf, errands, everyday wear, or living the dream, these hats go with everything. Be one of the first 20 people to rep the Dream in NOVA movement and shop our online store today! https://www.dreaminnova.org/store

05/13/2026

We currently have 10 prospect students and an active waitlist, reinforcing the growing need for accessible digital education in our community.

To expand capacity, we are fundraising to purchase additional tablets that will support both this cohort and future classes.

Ways to support:

$30 sponsors about 1/5 of a tablet
$80 sponsors half of a tablet
$160 sponsors a full tablet
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-7673

05/08/2026

Our Bilingual Volunteer Corps team has been preparing for the launch of this season’s Digital Literacy Program, and we’re excited to begin our first session in partnership with Grace United Methodist Church.

This Spanish-language course is designed to equip community members with the digital skills needed to access resources, navigate online systems, communicate effectively, and function confidently in our digital world.

We currently have 10 enrolled students and an active waitlist, reinforcing the growing need for accessible digital education in our community.

To expand capacity, we are fundraising to purchase additional tablets that will support both this cohort and future classes.

Ways to support:

$30 sponsors about 1/5 of a tablet
$80 sponsors half of a tablet
$160 sponsors a full tablet
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-7673

If you or your organization have insight into bulk tablet purchasing discounts or technology donation opportunities, we would greatly appreciate connecting.

We’re grateful for the partnerships and community support helping make this work possible.

Donate to Change Lives

05/05/2026

Our Dream in NOVA family has done something remarkable. We've delivered over $85,000 in value to our community in only 19 months! 340 community members reached. 441 program hours delivered. 1,035 volunteer hours contributed by people who believe in the power of community.

This didn't happen because of one large check. It happened because of $10 here and $25 there from neighbors, parents, local businesses, and people who simply believed. Two local Walmart stores believed. Individual donors believed. And together, it added up to something none of us could have done alone.

Don't underestimate what your contribution means. $10 is part of the flyer that reaches a family who didn't know help was available. It's the snack that keeps a kid energized through a full day of coding camp. The small things add up into something big.

What does this look like in practice? Elementary and middle school students discovering a passion for coding at our STEM camps. First generation college students receiving scholarships and the support they need to cross the finish line. Families navigating systems unfamiliar to them, learning about opportunities for their children, and walking into appointments with a trusted bilingual advocate by their side. Young people exploring careers and gaining access to industries that were previously only available through their parents network.

We are growing and we need you with us. If this work speaks to you, consider making a donation today. No amount is too small and every single dollar goes straight to programming. And if you want to be part of this every month, not just once, you can select monthly giving when you donate. That is how we keep showing up for this community all year long.

Donate here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-7673

The community's future is our future.

04/25/2026

We had a wonderful Saturday morning connecting with community members at the Georgetown South Community Yard Sale. As part of our ongoing research, we’re gathering insights to better understand local healthcare support needs.

This work is part of our Medicaid initiative under the Bilingual Volunteer Corps Program, where volunteers support eligible non-English-speaking families in navigating the application process.

Pictured are our amazing student volunteers, aspiring healthcare professionals who are passionate about improving access to care in their communities.

Community outreach like this is critical, but it isn’t without cost. From educational flyers to small items that help us connect with families, every detail adds up. If you believe in this work, we invite you to consider making a donation to support our outreach efforts. Even a $10 contribution goes a long way.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-7673

04/22/2026

Guess what?! We're partnering with the Manassas City Police Department and City of Manassas Park Police Department for an awesome Dream Career Experience during National Law Enforcement Week! Huge shoutout to Officer TJ Rodriquez and Officer Victor Roselli with the Bridging Futures Mentorship Program for teaming up with us, you're amazing. 💙

Our goal is to give students interested in law enforcement careers a fantastic, up-close look at the field. We'll kick off with a variety of career presentations in the morning, then head to Washington, D.C. to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our communities at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. We'll wrap the day at the National Law Enforcement Museum.

We've set aside a few spots for Prince William County Public Schools students, and a few are still open! If you have a PWCS student interested in law enforcement, please share this flyer!

The best part is: This is at NO COST to families.

A $40 donation helps cover one student's full experience. If you're able, consider giving through Zeffy. We couldn't do this without the power of community. Thank you for your continued support! https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-7673

04/21/2026

Huge congrats to another one of our student volunteers from Battlefield High School, Ramon Rodriguez III, on being named one of five recipients of the Prince William Chamber Awards, a recognition that highlights students making a difference in our community.

Ramon not only loves learning about tech, but enjoys helping others discover it too. That passion is what he brought to our Georgetown South Community Coding Camps, where he volunteered as an assistant instructor to give back and help inspire the next generation of engineers in our community. Ramon played a key role in guiding students who were sitting down in front of code for the very first time. Anyone who has taught beginners knows how intimidating those first lessons can be, but Ramon was able to meet students where they were. His patience and genuine encouragement were instrumental to the success of the program.

This fall, Ramon heads to Virginia Tech, and we could not be more excited for what's ahead. Ramon is a reminder of why student leadership matters, especially in communities where access to coding and tech opportunities have been limited. When young people see leaders like him in their own neighborhoods, it opens doors they didn't know existed.

Congratulations, Ramon, Hokie Nation is lucky to have you!

If you'd like to support programs like our STEM camps that empower students like Ramon and inspire a future generation of innovators, you can do so through https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-7673.

Prince William County Public Schools
Battlefield High School Parents
Prince William County Government, Virginia
Prince William Chamber of Commerce