One Person’s Vision Inspires…
Another Person’s Dream

***Click Here for a Note From The Founder***

Jan Tennyson's dream to help youth without strong family ties "reach for the stars" has become a reality. In 1989 she founded Dare to Dream Children’s Foundation. She believes that all children deserve help to reach their potential regardless of their circumstances. Her goal is to help young people who are temporarily living in shelters, foster homes, orphanages and detention facilities realize they can strive for, and achieve a brighter future.

She grew up in the foster care system and was placed in the New York Foundling Home as an infant. She has personally experienced many of the crises that our youth are dealing with today. Her belief that people are only limited by what they believe about themselves has allowed her to shake off the dust of the past and live an extraordinary life. 

Jan has used her God given talents as an inspirational speaker, pianist, conference leader, and a choreographer, to enhance programs and encourage youth and adults to Dare to Dream. Her message of hope and happiness challenges audiences to expect nothing less than God's best, and discover their passion, their plan, and their purpose.

Her talents have taken her from performing on the piano in Carnage Hall to encouraging youth in the jungles of Costa Rica, the schools in Mexico, the earthquake zones in Turkey, a refugee camp in Thailand, and the orphanages of Romania and Russia. She enjoys inspiring people to go on Mission trips to share the love of God throughout the world.

Jan was featured in the official book "A Celebration of Women" from the Global Celebration of Women conference in Houston, Texas, in 2001 - "From Orphanage to International Ministry." She is also featured in Ann Platz's book, "Reclaiming Your Dream."   In October 2006 she won the Altrusa International Outstanding Woman of Today Award in the non-profit sector - Richardson Texas. In 2007 she received the Governor's Lone Star Achievement Award - the highest award given to an individual in the State of Texas. 

Jan's strong faith in God has allowed her to share miracle stories of restoration, joy, and peace to audiences throughout the world. Both youth and adults are inspired with a vision and a purpose to stand one day as role models for their peers, their children, and for generations to come.