D R E A M S
Intervention Program (DIP)

The Three-Year After School Intergenerational Mentoring Program

DREAMS (Desire, Readiness, Empowerment, Action and Mastery for Success) is a three-year-long after-school intergenerational mentoring program designed and developed by Dr. Fr. Lijo Thomas to help underserved middle school students (adolescents) with the help of college student mentors (young adults) and senior adult mentors from the local community. This five-stage model for the psycho-social and leadership development of an individual is grounded in scientific theories. Desire and Readiness stages are based on goal setting/motivational theories, Empowerment, Action and Mastery are based on self-determination theory. This evidence-based  College student and senior community mentors are identified for mentoring, modeling, and motivating the adolescent participants of the program.

Why?             

      DREAMS Intervention Programme (DIP)

The DREAMS Intervention Program (DIP), spearheaded by Christ University, exemplifies an innovative approach to regional development through holistic education, wellness, and comprehensive community development by addressing value-based (soft skills) education and leadership development of three key generations of the community (adolescents, young adults and senior adults). This community initiative is implemented by addressing the psycho-social leadership aspect. The three-year intervention program fosters transformational and authentic/thought leadership, emotional intelligence, civic responsibility, and social consciousness by utilizing the massive potential of university students (young adults/mentors) and their strategic possibility of influencing two other age groups (adolescents/mentees and senior adults).

Goals to Achieve

The program’s key goal is to reconnect local communities with educational institutions and foster leadership among the youth. Through intergenerational and intercultural mentoring from the senior adults (retirees, partnering community volunteers), the initiative bridges gaps between age groups, fostering a transfer of wisdom, and skills (soft skills of the seniors and hard skills of young adults), culture, and values between adolescents, young adults, and senior adults from the local community.