INDIANAPOLIS – December 16, 2023 – The Indianapolis Colts today named Eric Müller, executive director of DREAM Alive in Indianapolis, as its recipient of the team’s 2023 Inspire Change Changemaker Award.
The award recognizes individuals who are making a difference in their communities through social justice work across each of the NFL’s 32 club markets.
DREAM Alive was founded in 2001 by former Colts great Tarik Glenn, and his wife Maya. The nonprofit focuses on breaking the cycle of poverty by mentoring underserved youth from seventh grade until high school graduation and helping them discover career paths and become civic-minded leaders.
“Eric has sacrificed his time, talents and treasure in leading DREAM Alive toward positively impacting underserved youth in Indianapolis,” Glenn said. “He has an undeniable passion for developing young people and has built meaningful relationships with the Indianapolis community through his dedication to kids in need of mentorship and support.”
Müller joined DREAM Alive in 2010 and has worked in every role within the organization, including working directly with schools as a site director, overseeing all youth programs as a program director and now serves as executive director, where he leads the development, management and advancement of the organization.
Under his leadership, DREAM Alive has grown from serving 20 students a year to serving more than 1,000 students a year. DREAM Alive also boasts a 100 percent graduation rate for students who have completed the program. Over the next several years, it will be launching its program to all Indianapolis Public Schools middle and high schools.
Before joining DREAM Alive, Müller served as a youth pastor and co-director of City-Life, a faith-based after-school program for at-risk youth. Müller was recognized before this weekend’s game at Lucas Oil Stadium against the Pittsburgh Steelers. What’s more, he will receive a $10,000 donation from the NFL Foundation, paid directly to a nonprofit of his choice.
Inspire Change is the NFL’s social justice initiative which showcases the collaborative efforts of players, owners and the league to create positive change in communities across the country and ensure that equal opportunity becomes a reality for all. Since 2017, the NFL family has provided more than $300 million to grant partners and hundreds of grassroots organizations across the country.
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DREAM Alive (DA) is an Indianapolis based nonprofit which helps break the cycle of poverty by mentoring vulnerable youth from 7th grade through 12th grade, helping youth discover career paths. DA was originally co-founded by retired Indianapolis Colts Left Tackle, Tarik Glenn during his playing career. For a decade-plus, DREAM Alive has empowered scholars who complete their 6-year program to graduate high school, with 96% of those scholars planning to enlist in the military, go to college, or enter straight into the workforce upon commencement. To learn more about DREAM Alive, please click the “about DA” button below.
