By Carlotta Mohamed
A local organization in Rosedale is making strides against breast cancer.
DREAM Inc. (Developmental Resources through Education, Athletics, and Mentoring) will be partnering with two organizations — Never Die Tour and Inspire or Retire — to raise funds for breast cancer at the annual American Cancer Society Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk in Queens.
On Sunday, Oct. 21, at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, all three Queens-based organizations — from Rosedale, Cambria Heights and Jamaica — will show their support to help cure breast cancer. DREAM Inc. will award a special person battling breast cancer with a surprise donation at the end of the walk.
Following the walk, the three organizations will host the “DREAM to Inspire and Tour for a Cure” brunch from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Katch Brew and Grill — located at 31-19 Newtown Ave. in Astoria — to honor those who currently are battling or have battled breast cancer.
“We look forward to the great success of the event. In the past, we raised funds by ourselves. With the support of other organizations, we feel encouraged to bring three times our original goal,” said Kouri Falconer, the founder and CEO of DREAM Inc., a nonprofit founded in 2014 to provide support and access to services for underserved communities.
DREAM Inc. has orchestrated and participated in developing and implementing school supply giveaways, scholarship raffles, Thanksgiving drives, sports tournaments and health fairs, as well as engaging in leadership development activities such as public speaking, problem-solving and time management, Falconer said.
After participating in the first Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk in Queens in October 2016, Falconer said the group was inspired to raise funds.
“It was our first time as a group we collectively participated and seeing other organizations and families walking for a family member going through cancer, we wanted to help someone else going through it,” said Falconer.
According to Falconer, DREAM Inc. raised close to $1,000 last year, all of which was donated to the American Breast Cancer Society.
So far, DREAM Inc. has raised $1,100 from T-shirt sales and are looking to keep raising as much as possible, said Falconer.
The Queens-based non-profit helps to develop safe, healthy and thriving neighborhoods by connecting the youth and their families with the necessary resources, programs and influential leaders. Their goal is to establish annual educational, athletic and mentoring programs for targeted communities.
For more information, including how to purchase a ticket or a shirt, go to: www.brunc
Reach reporter Carlotta Mohamed by e-mail at cmoha
