A Legacy Continues: Celebrating the Dreamers & Believers Class of 2026

The Dreamers & Believers Youth Mentoring Program (D&B) had another outstanding year; but is that really a surprise? Year after year, this program pours into dozens of mentees during some of the most formative years of their lives. For 15 years, it has been mentoring young people across Chicago, creating opportunities that inspire growth and success. For well over a decade, we have had the privilege of witnessing the excellence in our youth by investing in them through exclusive opportunities, events, programs, and pathways that empower them to reach their highest potential.

This year, the Dreamers & Believers program experienced a season unlike any other. As the Common Ground Foundation celebrated 25 years of impact and officially sunset, the Dreamers & Believers program began a new chapter as part of FREE TO DREAM™. This transition has unlocked an exciting new era for the program, and we can’t wait to witness how its legacy of excellence continues to grow and impact the heart of Chicago for years to come.

But before we dream about the future, let’s look back and celebrate what the Class of 2026 experienced during their final year as mentees in the Dreamers & Believers (D&B) program. As they closed this chapter, they also celebrated the memories, milestones, and growth that defined their journey.

Our program year began with an unforgettable day at Chicago Bears Training Camp and ended with our Senior Celebration and Six Flags trip, but the months in between were filled with opportunities for our mentees. Students explored college campuses at Dominican University, Northwestern University, and on our HBCU College Tour. They experienced the arts through Hell’s Kitchen and Chicago the Musical, developed leadership skills at advocacy and financial empowerment summits, and gave back by volunteering at the ChiGivesBack Toy Drive. Along the way, we also celebrated our organization’s 25th Anniversary and reached a historic milestone with the highest number of Posse Scholarship nominations in program history, including one mentee earning a full-tuition Posse Scholarship to Dickinson College.

This year, the largest graduating class in the program’s history walked across the stage. The Class of 2026 included 41 seniors and two juniors who graduated early. We couldn’t be more proud of these talented, intelligent, and influential young people we’ve had the privilege of mentoring. While most of our graduates have chosen to continue their education at colleges and universities, others are pursuing dreams of entrepreneurship; learning new trades, and building businesses of their own. No matter the path they choose, we know each of them is stepping confidently into a bright future.

We closed out the year with our annual End-of-Year Celebration, a day filled with joy, gratitude, and reflection. It marked not only the end of another incredible program year, but also the close of a meaningful chapter as we prepare to call Art In Motion our new home. For the past 12 years, Kenwood Academy High School has been home to the Dreamers & Believers program, where hundreds of young people gathered on Saturdays to learn, grow, and build lasting connections. We are deeply grateful to the staff and everyone who welcomed and supported us throughout the years.

This transition is a reminder of what the Chicago community looks like: people showing up for one another, investing in local organizations, and ensuring young people have access to the opportunities, experiences, and encouragement they deserve. That spirit has carried us for the past 12 years, and it’s the same spirit we’ll bring into this next chapter.

Of course, we also had an incredible time celebrating together. The day felt like a family reunion, bringing together alumni, former mentors, current mentees, parents, and community supporters. We played games, danced, laughed, shared great food, and reflected on another year of memories. Moments like these remind us that Dreamers & Believers has always been more than a program—it’s a family.

Each year, we notice something different about our mentees, but there was something especially remarkable about the Class of 2026. They were bold, authentic, and unafraid to lead with purpose. We believe they are true visionaries, and we’re confident their impact will continue long after graduation as we welcome our next class of Dreamers & Believers.

As we step into this new era under FREE TO DREAM™, we’re filled with excitement for what’s ahead. We look forward to creating new experiences, opening new doors, and continuing the legacy of excellence established by the Common Ground Foundation while honoring the foundation it built for generations of young people.

Join us as we prepare for Summer Camp and the next chapter of Dreamers & Believers. The future is bright, and we’re just getting started.

Want to learn more about the history of Dreamers & Believers? Explore our archived site. Interested in supporting Dreamers & Believers or getting involved? We’d love to hear from you—send us an email to learn more about how you can make an impact.