Become a DREAM Volunteer
Addressing the most challenging issues in high-poverty communities requires significant time, energy and resources. In developing countries around the world, many volunteer efforts are full of good intentions but fail to achieve long-term, sustainable change. In order to achieve positive results, awareness of community needs, collaboration with local partners and cultural awareness and sensitivity are key.
Our Solution
DREAM believes in the power of matching committed volunteers with knowledgeable community members to create sustainable change. We provide structured volunteer experiences that address community-identified needs while respecting local culture.
International and local volunteers make meaningful contributions to our communities on a daily basis, and DREAM provides the follow-up to ensure that these contributions are sustainable and long-lasting.
Volunteers dedicate anywhere from a few hours to a full year of service, contributing to established DREAM projects or fulfilling current needs based on their skills, abilities and interests. At the heart and soul of DREAM, you will find a volunteer!
Opportunities
Yearlong Fellowship Program
The Yearlong Fellowship Program bridges a volunteer and internship program, offering participants the unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to DREAM's educational and community development programs in the Dominican Republic. Throughout the year, Fellows dedicate their time and talents while strengthening their cross-cultural and professional skills. Through hands-on, experiential learning, they develop global competencies that they can apply in both local and international settings. Living and immersing themselves in the host community also deepens their Spanish language proficiency and fosters personal and professional growth.
Academic Practicum Program
The DREAM Project is expanding its experiential learning opportunities with the Academic Practicum, a structured program for students pursuing a Bachelor’s degree or higher, who are required to complete fieldwork as part of their academic studies. The Academic Practicum offers students a chance to apply their classroom knowledge in a real-world setting while contributing to high-quality educational programs for children, youth, and families in the Dominican Republic.
✔ Active student status at an accredited academic institution (Bachelor’s or higher).
✔ Institutional competency alignment—students must share specific academic requirements with DREAM.
✔ Research focus—practicum participants must present a proposed topic or area of study.
This is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, conduct meaningful research, and make a lasting impact.
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Summer Camp Volunteer Program
Each year, DREAM recruits up to 50 volunteers from around the world to work in our annual summer camp program. Volunteers receive a full week of orientation before collaborating with local Dominican teachers and volunteers to lead the four-week educational summer program for primary school youth. Volunteers are immersed in local communities and work on cross-cultural teams to facilitate an intensive educational experience that allows primary school students to catch up to their grade level, learn to read or write, practice English and improve basic math skills. We also emphasize personal growth and development, providing exposure to arts & crafts, sports, music, dance, interactive games and science experiments. Summer camp volunteers work as teacher trainers (professional development coaches), classroom assistants and class instructors.
Part-time Volunteer Program
DREAM offers short-term and part-time volunteer opportunities for individuals passionate about education, empowerment, and community development. Volunteers support DREAM’s high-quality programs for children, youth, and families for a minimum of ten hours a week if the commitment is for less than a month, and a minimum of three hours a week if it's for more than a month. Volunteers assist with literacy initiatives, STEAM, arts and sports programs, early childhood education, and more. Join us and be part of creating lasting change — one student, one classroom, and one community at a time.
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