From Poverty To Independence
Your gifts make a huge impact on our ability to serve those caught in the cycle of poverty.
In addition to a general donation, we have several special Dream Maker memorials funds available, as well as a special campaign to honor Carol Kallendorf Speer and Jack Speer. Please see below.
Dream Maker Memorials
We have established memorials to create meaning from loss and celebrate the life of exceptional loved ones with strong connections to The Dream Come True Foundation. Donations in memory of these very special people are a simple, meaningful way to honor a life and enhance their legacy. Donations to these memorials will honor and provide long-term support for new Dream Achievers earning their education and receiving other essential services so they may move out of poverty and into independence and success.
Celia Rose Myers (1919 – 2020)
Celia believed in the importance of education as a cornerstone to being independent and successful in life. She dedicated much of her life to helping elementary students improve their math skills. Her passion was passed on to her son, DCTF board member Sam Myers where he emphasizes the importance of education as part of The Dream Come True Foundation’s equation of success for Dream Achievers. Among the many lessons Celia taught her family, these three so fittingly coincide with the DCTF mission:
1. Play the cards that are dealt with you to the best of your ability and with grace. (A life lesson she learned as an avid bridge player.)
2. While family and genealogy were very important, family is much more than just those with the same last name.
3. Always do your best to help someone.
Celia lived to the age of 101 and was married to her husband Clarence Alva Myers for 66 years until his death. Together, they had three children Sam, Nan, and Jack.
Kathryn Stanley (1928 – 2019)
“Elegance, class, grace, kindness, humor”…. for all who knew Kathryn Stanley, those are the words that will always come to mind about her. Kathryn always thought the best of people and was a gracious presence in any gathering. Kathryn was a strong believer in education. In fact, much like our Dream Achievers, after the death of her first husband, she sought additional education to provide a means to support her daughter and herself. Later, at age 50, she began studying Administration of Higher Education/Gerontology at The University of North Texas, graduating with her Ph.D. in l978. Her friends at Tarrytown United Methodist Church and the SWIFT Sunday School class at TUMC loved her wisdom and her humor. Kathryn’s kindness and compassion drew her to the Dream Come True Foundation where she intended her memorial to help move talented young people from poverty to success.
James R. "Jim" Carlisle (1945 – 2021)
Jim was one of the first, largest, and continuing supporters of The Dream Come True Foundation. He believed in the DCTF concept from the beginning and the wrap-around support provided to our Dream Achievers.
Jim understood that while monetary support is certainly important, mentoring in life skills and formal education are critical to the long-term success of the Dream Achievers. His early support allowed DCTF to survive and grow into the flourishing organization it is today. Donations to Jim’s memorial will honor him and provide long-term support for the organization that triggered his passion.
Jim, always an advocate for education, was valedictorian of his Raymondville high school class and a UT-Austin graduate.
Oil painting of James R. "Jim" Carlisle by partner and artist Michael Chung.
Special Campaign to honor Carol Kallendorf Speer and Jack Speer
Carol and Jack recognized the need, envisioned a solution, established The Dream Come True Foundation, and for fifteen years have led and guided the growth and achievements. Over Fifty Dream Achievers and their families have moved from poverty to independence and success because of Carol and Jack. Celebrate and honor Carol and Jack as they pass on the leadership torch and transition to new strategic roles with The Dream Come True Foundation.