This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
The "I Have A Dream" Foundation of Boulder County, a long-term school dropout prevention and college and career preparation program for low-income youth, is pleased to announce the addition of four new staff members, two of which previously served "I Have A Dream" as Notre Dame AmeriCorps members.
Mario Alberto Martinez-Varelas is taking over the director of the La Vista Dreamer Class at Alicia Sanchez Elementary school.
Mario Martinez-Varelas was born in Juarez, Mexico, and moved to the US when he was three years old. He grew up in North Denver, where he experienced and underwent many of the same experiences our Dreamer Scholars face. He attended the University of Colorado-Boulder with the aid of the Daniels Fund Scholarship, and for the last three years has worked with underrepresented youth in Boulder and Longmont.
Lory Howlett Barton is serving as Development Director.
Lory Howlett Barton brings over 12 years of experience in non-profit and development work to her role as Development Director at "I Have A Dream." Hailing from Harry Truman's hometown of Independence, Missouri, she earned a BES in Educational and Counseling Psychology and a minor in French from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She also earned an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. With a life-long interest in nonprofit work, Lory has served in a variety of nonprofit settings, including a large local church, an international organization in rural Ethiopia, and a local human services nonprofit. She is passionate about providing opportunities for people to experience success and health in life. Having seen first-hand the life-changing value of education, she's thrilled to be part of the "I Have A Dream" team.
Jessica Sharley is the organization's new Development Manager.
Jessica Sharley comes to "I Have A Dream" with a passion for education and for sharing that 
passion with members of our community. With recent experience in comprehensive fundraising in the nonprofit health care sector, she is thrilled to be returning to the world of education, which she had previously experienced from the front of the classroom. Prior to pivoting into nonprofit fund development, she taught English and theatre at the high school and undergraduate levels, seeing firsthand that it takes more than sturdy bootstraps to close the achievement gap. She has been the grateful beneficiary of wonderful mentors as well as honored to serve as a Big Sister with BB/BS of Dane County in Madison, WI. Jessica holds a PhD in Theatre from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
passion with members of our community. With recent experience in comprehensive fundraising in the nonprofit health care sector, she is thrilled to be returning to the world of education, which she had previously experienced from the front of the classroom. Prior to pivoting into nonprofit fund development, she taught English and theatre at the high school and undergraduate levels, seeing firsthand that it takes more than sturdy bootstraps to close the achievement gap. She has been the grateful beneficiary of wonderful mentors as well as honored to serve as a Big Sister with BB/BS of Dane County in Madison, WI. Jessica holds a PhD in Theatre from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Teresa Byon is supporting the Apsen Dreamer Class as Program Specialist.
Teresa Byon was born in New Jersey where she attended Rutgers University and studied Art History, Psychology, and Religion. She moved to Colorado and joined the "I Have A Dream" Foundation of Boulder County as a volunteer and then served two years of AmeriCorps as a program coordinator. She is thrilled to be staying with the "I Have A Dream" family.
Rebecca Blane is our new Executive Assistant.
Rebecca Blane grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Hunter College in New York City with a degree in Psychology and Gender Studies. She began her undergraduate studies at the University of Vermont and her passion for the scenery and mountains is what drew her to Boulder originally. She served as an AmeriCorps member in the College and Career Department at "I Have A Dream" and is excited to continue on at the organization as the Executive Assistant.
This is a press release from the "I Have A Dream" Foundation of Boulder County and is published by the Longmont Observer as a public service.
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