Swartzfager graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Minority Studies. He came to the Dream Academy from the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Valley, where he held the position of Director of Operations. His 14 years in youth, family, and community programming started with the Boys & Girls Club as a Youth Development Professional. He continues to move through the organization as Program Director, Unit Director, and most recently the Director of Operations role.
Angell-Colvin attended Eastern Arizona College and majored in Anthropology. She is currently attending Westminster College where she is majoring in Sociology and Political Science. Angell-Colvin comes to the Dream Academy from Graduation Alliance, where she held the position of Academic Coach. Prior to Graduation Alliance, she spent four years with the Boys and Girls Clubs of both Gila Valley and South Valley. Angell-Colvin started with the Boys & Girls Club of Gila Valley as a Teen Director/Recreation Aid where she tutored and mentored kids while running specialized programming. She continued to serve kids and the surrounding community at Boys and Girls Clubs of South Valley as Midvale Teen Youth Development Director and Midvale Teen Program Director.
One of the DreamKids’ recent activities ended up providing two beautiful pieces of art – and one of nature -- in a project with local partner Molina Healthcare, whose mission is to provide quality healthcare to those receiving government assistance. The Dream Academy and Molina Healthcare teamed up to provide painted flower pots for an upcoming community awards event hosted by Molina. DreamKids channeled their inner Van Goghs to adorn two flower pots, one of which went to Molina for the awards event, and one they kept for themselves.
After decorating the flower pots they planned to take home, DreamKids planted herbs and flowers in them. The Dream Academy encourages students to engage in gardening and learn valuable lessons on patience (as they wait for plants to grow) and responsibility (taking care of growing plants).
In Salt Lake City, the US Dream Academy is located at the Dual Immersion Academy, a new charter school, established in 2007 southwest of downtown. The school houses approximately 350 students in grades K-8. The instructional program features a two-way bilingual education model with the aim of developing bilingual bicultural children. Content is taught in both English and Spanish to all children. Classes are constituted with approximately 50% native Spanish speakers and 50% native English speakers. The Learning Center in Salt Lake City earned the “Center of the Year” honor in 2008.
Dual After
Dual Immersion Academy
Hogal Zoo Pals
Paint Mixer
Sallie Mae
ShareTiks
St. Stephens Episcopal Church
Thayne Center and Salt Lake Community College
Utah After School Network
Utah Jazz
Utah Women’s Lawyers Group
Washington Federal Credit Union
Everfi
Monlina Healthcare
Utah Food Bank
