Outreach360 Expands Opportunities for Families to Provide Service to Disadvantaged Youth with Announcement of Summer 2013 Dare to Dream Program

GLENDALE, Ariz., Jan. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A new summer program from Outreach360, the nonprofit service-learning organization, will offer meaningful, hands-on support for young children in the developing nations of Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Dare to Dream is a family volunteer vacation program that has literacy as its foundation, with the goal of improving the outcomes for some of the world's poorest inhabitants. Volunteer families benefit from the sense of togetherness and service as parents and children work as a team to instill positive values in their young students. Likewise, when young people are embedded in another culture to provide service, they mature into well-rounded, compassionate adults.

"Family volunteer vacations are becoming more and more popular," said Tom Eklund, founder and executive director of Outreach360. "Our Summer 2013 Dare to Dream Program is a unique way to bond as a family, to make a difference while learning about another culture, and to teach children to appreciate the simple things in life. In our fast-paced lives, there is much that we take for granted."

Outreach 360's mission centers on nurturing the dreams and aspirations of disadvantaged children. This mission is accomplished through character- and skill-building exercises that foster a sense of self-reliance, confidence and achievement. With this firm foundation in place, these children will have the necessary tools and mindset to overcome challenges that once seemed insurmountable. Ultimately, Outreach360 hopes to break the terrible cycle of poverty, one child at a time.

Volunteering with Outreach360 is both safe and affordable. It's not a requirement that volunteers know Spanish or have extensive teaching or training experience. Staff people located in the participating countries coordinate all of the logistics for the volunteer families, from housing and meals to transportation, insurance and health needs. Reliable management ensures that families can concentrate on providing service and absorbing the sights and sounds of the local culture.

Past volunteers in similar Outreach360 programs have nothing but praise for the organization's mission. Many speak to the enriching and empowering aspects of volunteer work, especially for children. After all, young people look to their parents as role models; a volunteer vacation demonstrates the value of pursuing a meaningful life in service of others.

As a grassroots organization, Outreach360 depends upon the dedication and sacrifice of volunteers across Canada and the United States. Since its founding in 1994, more than 14,000 people have given their time and energy to the organization's mission. Charitable donations are essential to helping the organization forge ahead. Donors can contribute directly to one of several initiatives at http://www.outreach360.org/giving/. Ongoing needs include the construction of new neighborhood learning centers, as well funding for the day-to-day operations of existing learning centers.

About

Outreach360 is a world-class provider of international volunteer service-learning opportunities, meeting real needs in the communities it serves with the energy and resources of Outreach360 volunteers and donors. The focus is on children's education, and the cultural interchange between the international volunteers and the local communities is a significant outcome of the program.

Contact:

Tom Eklund, Director
Outreach360
6611 W Robert E Lee Street
Glendale, AZ 85308
email: [email protected]
phone: (602) 375-2900

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SOURCE Outreach360