“You can do it, Shatonna,” “Do it for yourself,” “It won’t be too hard,” these were the phrases campers and mentors offered to Shatonna, a shy senior from high school whom Angela Oxford, director of the center for community engagement, asked to speak with me about her two years of experience with Dream B.I.G.

Shatonna was one of 14 returning campers from the first Dream B.I.G., or Dream Believing in Girls, a girls empowerment mentoring program. Dream B.I.G. took place March 16-20 for its second official camp, as part of the Volunteer Action Center’s Alternative Spring Break program. Held at Mount Sequoyah, this year’s camp served 36 young women in grades 6 to 12 from Elaine, Ark.

Shatonna decided she would speak with me, and we took a seat outside. I asked her if I could record our conversation, and she nodded. But when my phone alerted me it was too full to record, I scrambled for a piece of paper. I ran inside and found a scratch piece, and dug a pencil from my bag. “Okay,” I said. “Let’s try this again.” When my mechanical pencil failed to have any led, Shatonna giggled. After I finally found a pen, and was red faced from my ill preparedness, Shatonna seemed more at ease.

She spoke softly, but what she had to say was certainly not lacking in power. She will graduate high school in May with plans to attend cosmetology school. Shatonna even had the opportunity to show off her skills doing hair and makeup for Dream B.I.G.’s Project Runway event Tuesday evening, which was one of Shatonna’s favorite things about Dream B.I.G. The other thing? The people. “I love everyone,” she said. “I’ve made new friends.” Shatonna hopes she can find a way to continue to be a part of Dream B.I.G., too, “if there is any way possible.”

Shatonna’s positive feelings toward her Dream B.I.G. experience were echoed by many of the campers during the closing ceremony. Phrases such as “It was amazing,” “I’m thankful,” I’d like to come back again,” “My mentors were great,” “I liked the teamwork,” were just a few of the overwhelmingly positive statements campers shared. For one young woman who was shy to take the microphone, she heard the same encouragement Shatonna received. “You got this,” “You can do it,” “We want to hear what you have to say!”

Not only does Dream B.I.G. have a positive influence on the campers, but the mentors as well. Kyeria Oyara, a sophomore pre-nursing major and second-year mentor, shared “I think the mentees take away a sense of unity, positive self-esteem, friendship, and trust away from Dream B.I.G. The mentors take away satisfaction that they are helping the younger generation to grow and thrive properly. Personally I have taken with me the memories to last a lifetime.”

Amanda Finch, program coordinator for the center for community engagement, speaks to Dream B.I.G.’s overall purpose in impacting both mentors and campers. She said, “The program is important on so many different levels – it gives college students the opportunity to be leaders in mentoring youth and collaborative community problem solving. The student mentors pour their hearts and souls into this experience and the impact of those relationships can positively affect the resiliency and self-esteem of the camp participants, which has the power to change their life trajectory. It is an important opportunity for the girls because it opens up new perspectives and resources on everything from personal health and self esteem to future planning and exposure to higher education and career options.”

In her closing speech, Oxford was brought to tears as she described the excitement of the Volunteer Action Center when a letter from a camper arrives, and how she, and all of the other mentors, think and speak of them year round. “Every day we think of you. We really, really care about you. We believe in you,” Oxford shared.

This year’s caring extended beyond Oxford and the mentors to include a group of professional women out of Chicago known as the Six Brown Chicks, which stands for “Being Responsible Obedient Willingly Now and Choosing Honesty Integrity Commitment Kindness and Self-Worth.” The group saw a video put together by the Volunteer Action Center about Dream B.I.G., and wanted to be a part of it. 

Kristin Williams, one of the Six Brown Chicks, also spoke at the closing ceremony, reminding the girls of a few key takeaway points. “Whatever you think can happen, can…” she said, “Don’t let anyone hold you back.” Williams also reminded the girls of the importance of making positive decisions to reach those dreams, and encouraged them to utilize their resources — including the Six Brown Chicks. “You can reach out to us at any time,” she said.

The Six Brown Chicks held sessions at this year’s Dream B.I.G. on conflict resolution and healthy relationships. Pat Walker Health Center also gave a presentation on Sexual Health. Throughout the week the campers also enjoyed activities such as swimming, rock climbing, art, zumba and yoga. Project Dream BIG returned this year, a Project Runway inspired activity in which the girls work as teams to showcase their creative skills. The girls work with a budget to buy fabric, allocate members to designing, hair and makeup, or modeling.

Other notable events include the Oprah inspired Legends Luncheon, in which esteemed members of the community speak to the campers about life success.

As guests, mentors and Oxford encouraged the girls throughout the week to “dream big,” Oxford is doing the same. “I would love to see other campuses take on the same challenge and investment around our state.  We've received calls from other communities who are following the work of Dream BIG and want a program like it for their own community.  I’d also love to see a program for boys – the boys need it and the community has requested, but we don't have the capacity in our staffing to manage it at this point.”

Though I asked Oxford to share why she thinks Dream B.I.G. is an important program, I didn’t really need an answer. As I stood around after Dream B.I.G. 2013 came to a close, I could see why this program is unlike any other. I could feel it. The room exploded in hugs. The kind where you don’t want to let go.  For everyone involved – mentors, campers, chaperones and directors – I think everyone felt what Oxford said best, “With you, you take part of our hearts.”