Sarah is a student at a local Title 1 school and her mom, Kelley, works in the cafeteria at a another local school as well. Sarah was first connected with the Dream Center through the Elementary Education Program last year. Her dad is really ill and so their family depends on one income. Kelley explained that finances have been tight: “I’ve been involved in a lot of the things that Dream Center does- like Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway, the Christmas program, DREAM Backpack and the Dream Center has been a huge support for our family!”

Executive Director, Jenna Kern, shares some of the heart and strategy behind how the DeSoto County Dream Center comes alongside families in our community, modeling after Jesus. Leading with presence- Dream Center staff take the time to truly listen to people’s stories and building relationships rooted in trust. The Dream Center meets immediate needs first - not just to provide relief, but to restore dignity and stability.

At just 12 years old, Landon, a rising 7th grader at Lewisburg Middle School and a proud percussionist in the school band, is already making waves in his community through consistent, heartfelt service. Landon began volunteering nearly two years ago, inspired by his first experience at an Adopt-A-Block gathering.

When teachers thrive, students thrive. The Dream Center exists to show the love of Christ to students and families of Title 1 schools in DeSoto County, and often some of the most forgotten students in our district are those spending time in the Juvenile Detention Center and other schools supporting students facing barriers to success. Read more about how the Dream Center supports students by caring for teachers.

We believe in the power of prayer at the DeSoto County Dream Center! Will you partner with us in praying on behalf of our community? Add these prayer requests to your regular prayer time as you consider the Dream Center and our community.

“We can have confidence that every act of kindness, every meal provided and every moment of mentorship is planting seeds that will bear fruit in God’s perfect timing.” Read more from Jenna Kern, the DeSoto County Dream Center Executive Director as she addresses the many people who make this mission possible through your partnership!

Read about ways that the DeSoto Dream Center partnered with Horn Lake Intermediate School to support a family facing food insecurity. Through the DREAM Backpack program DCDC was able to provide food, emergency housing, and help promote stability during a difficult time.

So much thought and dreaming, intentionality and heart went into the planning around the relationships that are cultivated in this building, and the safe spaces that the team desires to create for the purpose of helping individuals and families dream again. The end result of all of this prayer, research, intentionality and construction was a classroom layout and large gathering space designed with each of the students enrolled in our Elementary Education and Leadership programming. 

We are honored to spotlight Khalil Wright, the way that he repeatedly shows up for students in the Leadership program and his commitment to relationships. It is because of Khalil’s (and so many other faithful volunteers) consistently encouraging presence and the way he cares for students, that the DeSoto County Dream Center is able to invest in students and families the way we do.

We believe in the power of prayer at the DeSoto County Dream Center! Will you join with us on behalf of our community and our organization to petition the Father for these prayer requests?