“I want everyone to raise a glass of water — because in the British Empire it is appropriate to toast the queen with water — and let’s toast the queen of DREAMS,” Tony Rivenbark announced to begin the DREAMS Presents Annual Gala Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside.
The event was billed as a Roast and Toast of Tracy Wilkes, but aside from a few jokes about her tendency to wear her heart on her sleeve and give bear hugs, community members had nothing but praise for DREAMS’ outgoing executive director.
The night also served as a testament to the powerful impact of the DREAMS program, not just on current DREAMS students, but on DREAMS alumni, parents, teaching artists, staff and volunteers.
The evening began with an art sale showcasing the work of DREAMS teaching artists like Renato Abbate, who stood behind a table displaying his ceramic bowls and cups. He described leaving a full-time, well-paying job to teach one class a week at DREAMS.
“It was super scary,” Abbate said, “but it’s the best job ever, watching the kids growing up.”
Abbate said when he first started teaching, he frequently became discouraged because he didn’t believe he was having an impact on the lives of his students. He taught at a treatment center with students who often exhibited behavioral problems and did not outwardly respect him.
As he was questioning his effectiveness as a teacher, Tracy Wilkes gave him a piece of advice that renewed his sense of purpose.
“She said, ‘If you’re making a difference in just one of those kids’ lives, then you’re doing your job,’” Abbate said.
During the night’s performances, alumnus Makeba Robinson spoke to the audience about the difference DREAMS made in her life. She talked about being a timid young girl until she came to DREAMS and found a family that would bring her out of her shell.
She also told a story that illustrated the compassion of Wilkes, whom the students referred to as Mom. Robinson described stopping by DREAMS a few weeks before starting her freshman year of college. Wilkes told her to get in the car, and they drove to WalMart.
“She bought me all of the school supplies I needed for college,” Robinson said. “It was the first time and the last time I ever cried in a WalMart.”
Rivenbark, Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo, Marva Robinson, Rhonda Bellamy and countless others whose lives were impacted by DREAMS also took turns toasting Wilkes.
In addition to honoring DREAMS’ past, the gala also celebrated the exciting future of the program, which started with only 40 students and now serves more than 600.
It would seem that future would lie in the hands of Wilkes’ successor, Matt Carvin. Carvin is a classical guitarist who previously founded a volunteer outreach program in Baltimore, Md., called The Creative Access, which brought classically trained musicians to perform in hospices, homeless shelters and on the streets.
But as Carvin looked out into the audience of almost 300 people, he said the real driving force behind the program would be the passion of the ever-growing DREAMS community.
“DREAMS has never been about one single person,” Carvin said. “It’s been about the kids, and about the people who believe that those kids have the fundamental right to live expressive, full lives with a relationship with the arts. That’s why when I look out here, and I see kids, artists, community members, patrons, partners, that’s why I smile, because I am so excited for the future.”
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