Retired Colt launches effort to expand his youth foundation

Retired Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Tarik Glenn is the new president of D.R.E.A.M. Alive Inc., a not-for-profit organization that mentors middle- and high-school youth.

Founded in 2001 by Glenn and his wife, Maya, D.R.E.A.M. Alive seeks to develop students into community leaders through after-school programs emphasizing five principles: Discipline, Responsibility, Education, Achievement and Motivation. The organization encourages youth to pursue their dreams while learning firsthand the value of community service.

In years past, Glenn has held a position on D.R.E.A.M. Alive’s executive board while his wife served as board president. Recently, Glenn said, he has been compelled to assume a more active role within the organization. As IBJ reported in July, the organization's costs have outpaced revenue each of the last four years.

“I am so excited to have a chance to contribute to the Indianapolis community by helping build strong leaders among a key segment of our youth,” Glenn said.

“Indianapolis gave me a chance to play with a winning team and passionately supported us through those years. Through D.R.E.A.M. Alive, I now have a chance to give back to our community by working to see the lives of some very special people transformed. We have great programs and are building another winning team, so we feel very blessed to have this opportunity.”

D.R.E.A.M. Alive provides afterschool programs that focus on community service, leadership development and academic success for children in grades seven through 12. Now in its 10th year, the program operates within two Indianapolis community schools; Shortridge Magnet High School and Harshman Magnet Middle School.

Glenn said he hopes to position D.R.E.A.M. Alive to expand its reach to more schools in the near future.