Woven Dreams

On Exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum through September 5, 2025

Read about it in the Salem News in Michael McHugh's article entitled "Student-made Artifacts Explore Salem's History of Immigration".



Middle School students in LEAP for Education's Expanding Horizons' free summer program spent the past five weeks participating in the Salem Woven Dreams Experience, a special program designed in partnership with the Peabody Essex Museum and Salem Public Schools. Through this program students explored the immigrant experiences in Salem over the last 200 years, including the French Canadians, Polish and Dominicans who migrated to Salem in the late 1800's and 1900's. The program was made possible by a grant from Mass Humanities through the Mass Cultural Council and the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant which comes to Massachusetts via federal funding.

Read the full article here.

Students visited the Punto Urban Art Museum and the "faceless doll" statue near Palmer Cove Park in Salem for inspiration to create their original artifacts centered around immigrant experiences.

Students use basic craft materials such as markers, paper-mache, clay, and construction paper to create original "artifacts" inspired by the stories of immigration they had learned about through the "Salem Woven Dreams Experience".

With the help of a PEM Museum staff member, Hannah Varden, students created a varitey of artifacts which will be on display at the PEM from 8/22-9/5.

The LEAP for Education Summer Work program’s gallery walk showcased the talent and intelligence of 60 students from Lynn and Salem at Salem State University on Thursday, 8/14. 

✨ We extend our deepest gratitude to our volunteer mentors, local voices speakers, community partners, facilitators, teachers, and staff whose commitment and generosity ensured the success of these programs. ✨

Local Voices Speakers, Enrichment Lab Facilitators, and Mentors:

Aaron Beckett, Abby Heim, Abby Record, Ailyn Pestana, Alison Giglio, Amanda Thompson, Amanda Wynn, Aviva Must, Barney Jones, Ben Adeyinka, Brenda Mackey, Brittany Hadzy, Caitlynn Almy, Carol Levin, Christine Valdez, Colleen Dillon, Courtney Carleo, Dakota Russell, Don Pinkerton, Eileen Mathieu, Elaine Webb, Emily Hall, Emily Lonergan, Emma Hughen, Erica Waters, Eugene Mickey, Faustina Cuevas, Gabriel Sanchez, Harold M. Wingood, Jacob Olson, Janae Beaver, Jessica Peake, Joan Sachs, Johnny Fabian, Joseph Donnelly, Kayla Adams, Kayla Schneider, Kayley LeFrancois, Kathi Vander Laan, Kelley Contarino, Kelly Quinn, Keirsa Johnson, Kristin Popek, Lara Sao Pedro, Laurie Hark, Linda Saris, Lisa Dana, Liz Beaver, Marla Velasquez, Max Howe, Michael Cleary, Michaela Mark, Morgan Sawyer, Naomi Nim, Nate Berkowitz, Rachel Jacovino, Rainer Goldberg, Randall Malley, Rebecca Flacke, Reed Brockman, Representative Manny Cruz, Rick Maybury, Ruth Deras, Sarah E. Roy, Senator Brendan Crighton, Stephanie Hagyard, Stephanie Herrera, Steven Becroft, Tiffany Diaz Bercy, Tricia Sullivan and Trisha Mukherjee.

HOT OFF THE PRESS: 21st Century Grant Approved!

After a summer of uncertainty around this critical federal funding, we are relieved and thrilled to share some wonderful news: our Middle School Program at Collins Middle School in Salem has been awarded the Exemplary Programs Grant!

This grant ensures that students will continue to have access to high-quality academic enrichment, mentoring, and opportunities that support their personal and educational growth.

To learn more about this program click here.

LEAP for Education supports youth in their personal, educational, and career growth by partnering with the community to increase opportunities and advance equity.

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