What is Dare to Dream?

The Dare to Dream America program provides an opportunity for youth (ages 13 to 25) to get involved in mental health awareness activities. Successful applicants are awarded a grant up to $1000 to do projects that promote mental health awareness and reduce the stigma associated with it.

How did Dare to Dream get started?

Dare to Dream America is brought to you by Youth M.O.V.E. National and was modeled after the successful Dare to Dream program in Ontario, Canada: a similar program for youth to get involved in mental health awareness activities.

Seeing the success that the program brought to this country, Youth MOVE National, with the aid of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), decided to emulate this in America and in 2008, the first ten awards were given to individuals around the country.

Dare to Dream America is coordinated by youth and designed for youth, like you, who are interested in making your peers and community more aware of mental health challenges and decreasing the stigma that is typically associated with them. This is your chance to stand up and help youth in your school and community who struggle with mental health on a daily basis.

See what past winners have done with their Dare to Dream America grants: Round 1 (2008), Round 2 (2009), Round 3 (2010), Round 4 (2011), Round 4.5 (2011)

How do I get started?

You can download the full application here!. You will need to carefully read through it to get an understanding of the criteria and guidelines for the program.

If you have any questions about Dare to Dream America, send an email to youthmove@ffcmh.org or call 240-403-1901. Check out the Youth M.O.V.E. National website for more details.