In The News

Every day Find A Dream works through programs, mentor opportunities, and healthy activities to get and keep kids off the street and involved in becoming valuable members of our society.

Here are the latest happenings at Find A Dream:

“We at Find A Dream focus on shaping and redirecting the lives of youths and young adults of every socio-economic background, and is founded on the belief that personal and social changes come about when we work as a team,” says Rod Ricciardi, Co-Founder and Board Member of Find A Dream. “We believe that strengthening a community is accomplished by reaching out to our youth and neighbors, and every day we work side-by-side with our community to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.”

Other members of the supporting team at Find A Dream include, but are not limited to: Hector Camacho Jr., “Merciless” Ray Mercer, Quinton Aaron, Rob Garcia, Bruce Daniels, Dr. David Lemak, Louis Mandylor, Eric Martinez and Bobby Cyzy. Each member of Find A Dream comes from a diverse background and brings to the table invaluable experience and determination to help make a difference in communities throughout America.

“As we put the Find A Dream beliefs into practice every day through the programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body in the youths around us,” says Ricciardi. “Our impact is felt every time an individual makes a healthy choice, when a mentor inspires a child, and when a community comes together for the common good.” ?

In 2011 Find A Dream is striving to continue to expand and impact the lives of children throughout various communities. Find A Dream plans to spread their word through boxing and MMA events, car shows, cook-offs, concerts and more in hopes of reaching out to communities and bringing awareness of the necessity to work towards enriching the lives of our youths.

“If we at Find A Dream change the life of just one kid, then we are successful,” says Ricciardi. “But we are on a mission to change the lives of as many kids around the country as possible, and help each and every one of them find and reach their own dreams.

Find A Dream is a nonprofit organization unlike any other. We have partnered with professionals to deliver on our promise of positive change in young lives. Our communities become stronger when our youth is mentored through people of character with a true interest in pouring constructive, character-building activities and input into their lives.

To learn more about Find A Dream or become a sponsor or volunteer, visit http://www.findadream.org.

Barmuda takes part in “Find A Dream”. 09/27/2010
Interview By: Markita Currie - The Northern Iowan

Find A Dream and Barmuda partnered together to host a Thunder Promotions concert, "The Calm Before the Storm," and a Mixed Martial Arts event. National Cattle Congress.

Find A Dream is a nonprofit organization that is trying to improve local communities. Their mission is to attain a safe and supportive environment for youth and young adults of diverse social, economic and ethnic backgrounds. They are trying to raise self-esteem and scholastic levels through after-school study areas, computer labs, mixed martial arts, boxing, cardiovascular exercise and techniques on discipline. Barmuda decided to join forces with this organization in order to give back to the community.

"Barmuda cares about children, especially disadvantaged youth, and we believe the mixed martial arts program can serve as a positive influence on children who need it," said Barmuda Companies owner Darin Beck.

According to Beck, Barmuda has a long line of diverse restaurants and local "hot spots," so they decided to give something more to the community. By joining forces with Find A Dream and Thunder Promotions, they hope to provide opportunities for the people of Cedar Falls, Waterloo and surrounding communities.

"Barmuda cares about children, and when times get tough in family situations, there needs to be more organizations like Find A Dream who are there for us and kids who are less fortunate," says Lori McConville, secretary and board member of Barmuda.

More than 1,000 free tickets were given to families, and many others were sold. For information on future events, visit Find A Dream's website, www.findadream.org.

Barmuda takes part in “Find A Dream”. 09/27/2010
Interview By: Markita Currie

Find A Dream is a nonprofit organization that is trying to improve local communities. Their mission is to attain a safe and supportive environment for youth and young adults of diverse social, economic and ethnic backgrounds. They are trying to raise self-esteem and scholastic levels through after-school study areas, computer labs, mixed martial arts, boxing, cardiovascular exercise and techniques on discipline. Barmuda decided to join forces with this organization in order to give back to the community.

"Barmuda cares about children, especially disadvantaged youth, and we believe the mixed martial arts program can serve as a positive influence on children who need it," said Barmuda Companies owner Darin Beck.

According to Beck, Barmuda has a long line of diverse restaurants and local "hot spots," so they decided to give something more to the community. By joining forces with Find A Dream and Thunder Promotions, they hope to provide opportunities for the people of Cedar Falls, Waterloo and surrounding communities.

"Barmuda cares about children, and when times get tough in family situations, there needs to be more organizations like Find A Dream who are there for us and kids who are less fortunate," says Lori McConville, secretary and board member of Barmuda.

More than 1,000 free tickets were given to families, and many others were sold. For information on future events, visit Find A Dream's website.

Louis Mandylor Joins Find A Dream
Interview By: Mut Asheru - Listen to Podcast

Louis Mandylor (actor/director/producer) is probably best known for his part as Nick Portokalos in the indie hit My Big Fat Greek Wedding but we’re sure you’ve caught him in dozens of other films and tv shows such as CSI Miami, CSI NY, Relic Hunter and Grace Under Fire to name few.

A man after our own hearts he’s big into indie film and is actively producing projects under his own production company Krakatau Films. He recently picked up Best Actor honors at the Hoboken International Film Festival for his film In the Eyes of a Killer for which he served two roles as actor and director. The film was produced by his company Krakatau Films and also won Best Picture at the 2009 Sacramento International Film Festival.

Having boxed professionally and been a Muy Thai fighter in the past Mandylor understandably knows the importance of health. He is part of an organization called ‘Find A Dream’ that aims to keep kids of all socio-economic backgrounds off the streets through physical activity.

He has a number of projects in various stages of production, one of which is the comic book based feature called *Elwood. Written by Peter Lancett, the surprise here is that the comic book and story concept is by Mandylor himself.

Other films produced by the company include festival favs Gerald a comedy about a child trapped in an adults body and thriller The Cursed.

We got a chance to speak with Mandylor and he happily shared what’s going on in his professional world.

For More Info Visit:

www.louismandylor.com
www.krakataufilms.com

ABOUT: Find A Dream is a nonprofit organization unlike any other. We have partnered with professionals to deliver on our promise of positive change in young lives. Our communities become stronger when our youth is mentored through people of character with a true interest in pouring constructive, character-building activities and input into their lives. The Power in Our Hands As we put the Find A Dream beliefs into practice every day through the programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body in the youths around us, our impact is felt every time an individual makes a healthy choice, when a mentor inspires a child, and when a community comes together for the common good. More information is available at http//:www.FindADream.org.