Cirque du Soleil / Cirque du Monde
Dreams Can Be is proud to be one of the U.S. partners of Cirque du Soleil's unique and highly effective worldwide social outreach program Cirque du Monde, and the only partner of Cirque du Soleil who helps support a network (Circus of the World Network Brazil) of more than 20 social circus and arts education programs throughout Brasil. The Cirque du Monde worldwide network works with circus arts training to keep young people off the streets in 18 countries and 40 communities around the world.

Cirque du Monde along with Jeunesse du Monde, Oxfam-Quebec and FASE have joined forces to create a program which stages circus workshops with local community organizations that reach out to youth at risk around the globe. Youth in difficulty experience the magic of circus arts and discover first hand how much discipline and perseverance they require.

Cirque du Monde is a means of fostering the full development of youth at risk. The program favors an approach that respects young people and gives the participants a springboard into a new stage in their lives. Above all the project provides a chance for participants to experience something positive that can act as a catalyst for growth in self-esteem and identity.

Rede Circo do Mundo Brasil - Circus of the World Network Brazil

The Rede Circo do Mundo Brasil (Circus of the World Network Brazil)
is a collective of organizations that believe art education is integral to social development and is an effective process for the comprehensive development of underprivileged children and youth. The artistic and cultural languages especially the circus arts provide powerful and dynamic tools for learning, for integration, expression, and the promotion of citizenship and social transformation.

The twenty two organizations that form the network Rede Circo do Mundo Brasil operate in every region of Brasil; in nine states, the Federal District, and nineteen major cities throughout the country. In all, these organizations serve approximately 10.000 children and youth from the popular classes and account for the employment of nearly nine hundred citizens from these communities where their projects and activities are developed.

Since commencing their activities in 1998, the Rede Circo do Mundo Brasil has gained enormous recognition and public outpouring, as one of the most important social- educative and cultural networks in the country. One reason is it’s integration into other national and international forums, among them are: Câmara Setorial de Circo do Ministério da Cultura (Sectorial Chamber of Circus of the Ministry of the Culture), and the Encontro Internacional de Formação de Formadores em Circo Social (International Meeting in Formation of Educators in Social Circus), that is coordinated by Cirque du Soleil and integrates the founding nucleus of the Associação Latino-Americana de Escolas de Circe (Latin-American Association of Circus Schools).

The collective capacity of shared ideas and methodologies, contributes to the Rede Circo do Mundo Brasil’s ability to consolidate the concept of  "Social Circus or Circo Social" now recognized by leading public and private organizations in the fields of art education, culture and social assistance in Brazil and abroad. Effectively, guaranteeing the network the capacity to influence public policy focused on human rights, economic, social and cultural rights, and in special public policies for children and youth from the popular classes. This capacity is a new practice in Brazil and in the world, because  the institutions that makeup the network develop their actions autonomously and independently, while recognizing the value and importance of the collective performance, thus contributing to the  fabric of society through the consolidation of Brazilian democracy and the formation of a just society.

Impact of the network:

Number of organizations: ------------------------------- 22
Children and youth served: ----------------------------- 9.900
Indirect beneficiaries:------------------------------------ 60.000
Direct employment produced by the organizations:---- 868
Regions in Brasil where Social Circus is present:-------- 05 (all)
States represented:--------------------------------------- 10
Cities represented:---------------------------------------- 19

Organizations from the network:

Escola Pernambucana de Circo(PE)
Programa Social Crescer e Viver (RJ)
Se Essa Rua Fosse Minha (RJ)
Arricirco (PE)
Associação Londrinense de Circo (PR)
Canoa Criança ((CE)
Circo Baixada (RJ)
Circuito de Interação de Redes Sociais (SP)
Escola Picolino de Artes do Circo (BA)
Escola Zoin de Circo (PI)
Grupo Cultural AfroReggae (RJ)
Grupo Cultural Jongo da Serrinha (RJ)
ICC (SP)
Instituto de Ecocidadania Juriti (CE)
Lonas das Artes (SP)
Movimento Rua do Circo (DF)
Profec (RJ)
Programa Educação pelo Movimento (RJ)
Projeto Final Feliz (RJ)
Projeto ICA (SP)
Sua Majestade de Circo (AL)
Trupe Tralha (MG)

As part of the Cirque du Monde network in Brazil, the following are some of the organizations we have supported:

	Escola de Circo Pequeno Tigre, São Gonçalo, RJ e Rio de Janeiro, RJ
	Associação Cultural Final Feliz , Rio de Janeiro, RJ
	Escola Pernambucana de Circo Grande Circo Arraial, Recife, Pernambuco
	Escola Pernambucana de Circo Grande Circo Arraial, Recife,
	Juriti - Circo Escola de Ecocidadania, Juazeiro do Norte, Ceara
	Associação Londrinense de Circo, Paraná
	Trupe Tralha , Araçuai, Minas Gerais
	Associação Londrinense de Circo, Paraná

Our 5th annual benefit fundraiser with Cirque du Soleil was held again this year in NYC. Our patrons were treated to a special performance of Cirque du Soleil’s show “CORTEO”. All guests also received their very own Dream’s Goody Bag filled with donations generously provided by our sponsors and which  included a full bottle of Beleza Pura Super Premium Cachaça, Compilation CD’s from Six Degree Records, wristbands designed by Paddy Boom of the Scissor Sister’s and donated by Whateverittakes.org, Free Tango Passes to Belle Epoque Tango, NYC, and very special key chains created by Santa Cor in Rio de Janeiro.

Dreams Can Be Foundation would also like to thank American Airlines for sponsoring tickets for Dreams Can Be Foundation in order to produce the event. All costs associated with this benefit event were completely covered by Dreams Can Be Foundation’s board of directors and with the assistance of the donors mentioned above enabling us to raise USD$23,375. The money will be distributed in November ‘06 to select projects and programs in the Rede Circo du Mundo Brasil’s network of social circus programs.

CIESPI - INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND POLICY ON CHILDHOOD

Led by the internationally respected Researcher, Writer and Social Activist, Irene Rizzini CIESPI started as CESPI, the Center for Research on Childhood at the University of Santa Ursula in Rio de Janeiro in 1984.

CIESPI registered as an independent non-profit organization and It is currently associated with the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC) where it is located.

CIESPI staff have researched and been actively involved in policy debates about: children's services in Brazil; the condition of street children; the lives of children involved in state child welfare and juvenile justice systems and the ways in which they get lost in those complex systems; the development of the law on children's rights; and the history and role of children's institutions, and the impact of economic conditions-from the economic characteristics of poor communities to the impact of globalization-on disadvantaged children.

CIESPI is a non-profit research center dedicated to applied research, policy analysis and training about the needs of children, particularly disadvantaged children, and their families.

Much of the center's work is about the condition of disadvantaged children in Brazil, particularly children and youth growing up in the favelas (slums) of large cities. But CIESPI is interested in the environments of all children and some topics, such as family violence or the impact of electronic media, affect children from a wide range of backgrounds. CIESPI´s international connections permit an exchange of ideas and experiences with colleagues in many other countries.

CIESPI has a long history of working on issues of child development and the social conditions of children and families. It is also developing an interest in the consequences of the economic condition of children, and in community economic development in lower-income neighborhoods.

CIESPI:

	develops multi-disciplinary research projects and actively contributes to policy debates to assist policy development and the improvement of social programs in the areas of infancy, childhood, adolescence, family and community;
	Gives support to cultural, artistic, educational and social initiatives for children and youth;
	Organizes seminars, workshops, lectures and discussion groups to disseminate its work;
	Contributes to building the skills and capacity of students and working professionals;
	Disseminates and debates its findings throughout Brazil and the international children's policy and research community.
	Gives technical assistance and provides consultations to children and youth programs and projects locally, nationally and internationally.

INSTITUTO DA CRIANÇA

We are very happy to have a new friend and partner in Rio de Janeiro with Pedro Werneck, Founder and president of Instituto da Criança. Pedro is doing work very similar to what we are doing here in Rio, in that he began his organization to raise money to support existing social projects, however he supports only four such institutions; whereas we work with many more and choose not to offer “full support” to any particular organization. What is most interesting to us about Pedro’s work is that through his family and position in society (owners of the Marina hotels in Rio) he has a large group of “society friends” and celebrities who support his work, volunteering for all their needs and attending various fundraising events throughout the year. Since it is part of the Dreams Can Be Mission to raise awareness and promote philanthropy here in Brazil we are pleased to see that Pedro has been successful inspiring philanthropy amongst some of the more fortunate citizens of Rio.

	Lar Santa Catarina ‐ (Petropolis) aiding seriously handicapped children and adolescents;
	Familia Flordelis - (Rio de Janeiro) The adoptive Family of 40 street
	Lar São Jose - (São João de Merits) offering food and medical care to 180- 200 children
	Recicla - (Mage) teaching 300 families to sort and recycle trash to exchange for income

Doing work in the spirit of DCBF’s commitment to promoting individual philanthropy and volunteerism in Brazil, DCB honors the leadership of Pedro and believe that he and Instituto da Criança has what it takes to make a great social impact through the projects they supports.

Viva Rio
Viva Rio is Rio de Janeiro's most active and successful non-profit organization. Viva Rio works towards social integration and aims to overcome violence and social exclusion in the city. Since 1993 Viva Rio has developed peace campaigns and projects in the areas of Human Rights, Public Safety, Education and Community Development. In 2000, Viva Rio coordinated projects in nearly 500 low-income communities and 34 municipalities of Rio de Janeiro State. Since 1997 as a result of Viva Rio's community education programs, over 25,000 young people have completed primary and secondary level education courses.

Violence in Brazil is a problem intrinsically linked to youth. Rio de Janeiro gun related incidents are the primary cause of death of young people between fourteen and nineteen years of age (responsible for 59% of all deaths in this age group). Today the state of Rio de Janeiro loses around 3,500 young people per year as violence in urban areas continues to grow.

SEBRAE - Network of Entrepreneurial Classes for at ‐risk youth
Dreams Can Be was invited by Sebrae ‐ Serviço de Apoio à Micro e Pequena Empresa (one of the largest Brazilian organizations who supports the development of small and medium sized companies,) to integrate a network of entrepreneurial classes for youth at risk. The project consists of teaching the concepts of the business market to impoverished youth within their public schools, in their low-income communities and by using a new and real language of communicating, trying to bring ambition and persistence to the boys and girls. Our mission is to catalog the public schools that are able to receive this project and guarantee the self-sustainability of it, by teaching the teachers how to implement the program on their own.

REFAZER
Refazer is a non-profit charitable association offering help to children, teenagers and women with high-risk pregnancies after they are discharged from the Fernandes Figueira Institute, a referral hospital for pediatric and maternity care.

Refazer serves children with chronic illnesses, which require long treatments, prolonged stays in hospital and high cost materials. Children and teenagers who, once the treatment is finished return to their hard reality full of deprivations, partially or wholly undoing the whole high quality service, which they received.