Dream on Purpose hosted its 7th annual “Dine with DOP” event to promote the nonprofit organization’s mission to help girls in Alachua County realize their dreams, honor supporters and share its future plans.
“Everything starts with a dream and a vision,” said Shareen Baptiste, CEO and founder of Dream On Purpose. “If you don’t dream big, you are not challenging yourself. My goal is to empower girls across the state.”
Founded in 2015, DOP is dedicated to empowering youth, with a specific focus on girls between the ages of 11-18.
Those recognized during the event included Nasseeka Denis, who received the Supporter of the Year Award; The Wagmore Foundation, who received the Partner of the Year Award; Verlisa Frazier, who received the Volunteer of the Year Award and Ja’Laiyah Bynum, who received the Dreamer of the Year Award.
The event also included voting to retain its current board members, JoAnne Karagnara, Patrice Fletcher, Tia Paul, Jasmine Quarterman, Lara Waters and Baptiste, and Ayanna Hypolite was voted in as a new board member.
The organization also acknowledged the service and contributions of two non-renewing board members – Yvette Carter and Ian Fletcher. It also announced its involvement with the 2023-2026 Level Up Strategic Plan, DOP’s acceptance in the Jumpstart fundraising program hosted by the Community Foundation of North Central Florida and Network for Good and its newly revamped website.
Amber Bethel, who attends Buchholz High School, sang during the event, and testimonials were delivered by DOP participants Ja’Laiyah Bynum and Jamia Hunt.
“Dream On Purpose showed me to better myself, take care of myself and accomplish my dreams,” Bynum said.
Hunt said she admires the dedication of the organization and how it provides resources to young girls.
“I learned a lot during its three-day career launch intensive program,” Hunt said. “I learned how to envision my dream career and how to achieve it. Dream On Purpose taught me how to dream big.”
DOP’s Career Launch Intensive (CLI) is a coaching and mentoring program that provides young ladies between the employable ages of 15-18 with essential life skills that enable them to not only find a job, but also identify a career.
DOP’s Vice President JoAnne Karagnara thanked the partners and sponsors for their help in funding and collaborating on programs.
“Thank you for seven years for doing amazing things in the community for the ladies in Alachua county,” Karagnara said. “We pray for them to continue to help us do great things in the community.”
Karagnara said what started out as a simple workshop turned into an organization to help girls reach their potential.
“How can we help these young ladies?” Karagnara asked herself. “Suicide rates are going up. There’s low self-esteem and teenage pregnancy. Let’s give them resources and let’s bring in experts to help them.”
As part of its 2023-26 Level Up strategic plan, the organization’s goals are to increase financial awareness, continue to create impactful programs, increase public awareness and strengthen professional staff and board leadership.
The nonprofit plans to host four “Cupcakes and Conversations: College Discovery” discussions in March, June, August and October.
DOP and Gainesville Black Professionals will host a “Movers and Shakers Mixer: Youth Edition” in April.
DOP will continue to host programs like DOP REACH (Radically Empowering Agents of Change through Hope) at Santa Fe High School, which is set to be in May.
DOP will also host a Crown Placement program in July to teach young ladies about self-care, which will be co-sponsored by Trinity’s Day Spa.
Baptiste said DOP’s goal is to open a brick-and-mortar facility.
She also said the organization is planning to host its inaugural youth conference in January 2024.
For more information about Dream on Purpose, visit www.dreamonpurpose.org.
