https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/events daily 0.75 2023-11-03 https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/events/ugly-sweater-fundraiser-party monthly 0.5 2023-11-03 https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/events/choose-your-battles monthly 0.5 2021-05-25 https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/events/math-tutoring monthly 0.5 2021-01-13 https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/events/sneaker-den-giveaway monthly 0.5 2020-11-04 https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/events/pro-painter-and-drywall monthly 0.5 2020-11-04 https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/events/donate-today monthly 0.5 2020-10-26 https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/events/fire-arms-safety monthly 0.5 2020-11-04 https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/events/electrician-class monthly 0.5 2020-10-26 https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/events/donate monthly 0.5 2020-10-21 https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/events/sneaker-den monthly 0.5 2020-10-22 https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/events/boxing-champ monthly 0.5 2021-01-13 https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/materials-for-learning daily 0.75 2020-11-09 https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/home daily 1.0 2023-11-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f32e190b490445685cb037a/1597172283590-3FSFQ4QUCHBSKMOMTSKS/image-asset.jpeg Home - Support for Communities Education happens within the context of a larger community. Our approach extends beyond the school to help ensure students have the necessary support to do their best learning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f32e190b490445685cb037a/1597171887896-WXJSDXU1K8PCA0DFBVQ9/image-asset.jpeg Home - Materials for Learning Many educational materials in local languages are often out of date. We work with school leaders and publishers to ensure that students have access to current textbooks that are age appropriate and written in their primary language. https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/our-team daily 0.75 2025-01-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f32e190b490445685cb037a/1597329636234-VKOZE4L2VJR6MR6GUVV1/Head+shot.jpg Our Team - Laniesha Merritt- Executive Director In 2007, Raleigh entrepreneur and community organizer Laniesha Merritt took her vision and turned it into reality. She combined her love of the music industry, photography, and event coordination into a dynamic “One Woman Company,” which quickly flourished. Merritt established MyTru Productions, laying the foundation for what would eventually evolve into the Own Your Dream non-profit organization. All profits generated through MyTru Productions were reinvested into an expanding array of services, outreach initiatives, programs, and events aimed at supporting the children in her community. Merritt's commitment to her mission has allowed her to address additional needs, including mental health in 2018 and, more recently, substance abuse and housing in 2024. The Own Your Dream initiative now extends its support to individuals aged 16 and up through the Talk Solutions Program, offering vital resources in Wake County and the surrounding areas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f32e190b490445685cb037a/816fe9ba-69ab-47e1-9fa2-20e34aaede1c/IMG_7938+%281%29.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f32e190b490445685cb037a/e7adac25-df56-4860-bfc0-373bc45a34b9/image0+%283%29.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f32e190b490445685cb037a/10f650d7-100b-4ec1-a366-0187adaa5e2b/FullSizeRender.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f32e190b490445685cb037a/d1c6ae09-4a2f-42c2-ab59-7174db84f4c4/52494bf1-00df-4b9d-844f-0e69020d8c3a-1_all_123+%281%29.jpg https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/our-vision daily 0.75 2020-08-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f32e190b490445685cb037a/1597173275294-JY6ZQNDLHRN6H338FFQB/image-asset.jpeg Our Vision - Educators are innovators. In 2010 Laniesha Merritt saw there was a pressing need for dedication in providing support and inspiration to the youth in the community, who were also eager to pursue dreams of their own but lacked experience and support. Thus Own Your Dream non-profit foundation was established. Merritt plowed ahead with no money, material or paid staff, she began producing talent and fashion shows for youth ages 6-17. In working with the youth, Merritt recognized there was a greater need for these kids, especially the teens. They lacked a safe space to discuss the everyday, hard life issues they were facing. These barriers made it difficult for them to focus on making their dreams reality. To address that need, Merritt designed a curriculum for the kids whom she calls “Dream Seekers”. The Dream Seekers would now have access to productive, healthy interests such as; cooking, photography, music productions, and dance. Academics are a priority so tutoring, homework assistance and STEM programs. They also have access to outreach programs such as a Teen Summits, workshops addressing problems as serious as gang involvement, drug use, the risk of unwanted pregnancies and HIV/STDs. It was important to have a platform for the youth to be comfortable in having an honest and solution driven discussion. Merritt recruited older youth and adults who lived and experienced the same circumstances as these kids, but had come out on the other side to find paths of stability to live a more productive life. The more successful Own Your Dream becomes the more lives it will change and that’s a WIN WIN for the children, parents and the community. So it’s safe to say the story of Own Your Dream is still being written. https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/talksolutions daily 0.75 2025-01-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f32e190b490445685cb037a/1597172202557-VZY01Q0EXTGMGY1IWY46/image-asset.jpeg Talk Solutions - TALK SOLUTIONS Talk solutions supports young males and females 16 years old and up facing misdemeanor charges, homelessness and those transitioning out of foster care. Programs include Peer Support, Therapy, Apprentice participation and even Traumatic Brain injury Programs. https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/dream-catchers-program daily 0.75 2020-09-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f32e190b490445685cb037a/1597180343826-FG2ZGCO45HW0EI25PWX1/image-asset.jpeg Dream Catchers Program https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/contact-us daily 0.75 2020-08-13 https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/giving-page daily 0.75 2025-01-31 https://www.ownyourdreamnc.org/rsvp daily 0.75 2024-12-02