Look and Listen

Biography

Tom Tuohy is the Founder and Chair of Dreams for Kids, an international youth empowerment organization, and author of the critically acclaimed book, Kiss of a Dolphin. Tom is an accomplished children’s advocate, author, attorney, actor, speaker, and storyteller, who speaks from his heart with stories of dreams come true. Beginning his work in the local community at a young age, Tom attended DePaul University and graduated with honors with a Bachelors of Science degree. While attending DePaul Law School, Tom studied at Cambridge University in England and returned to DePaul to receive his Juris Doctorate. Upon graduation from law school, Tom founded Tuohy Law Offices and began a career which concentrated in providing legal education seminars to municipal employees, members of labor unions, and the general public, representing over 14,000 individuals in the community. Early in his legal career, Tom began working in theatre and in local television and film productions. Tom produced and acted in the local adaptation of the Broadway play, the Boy’s Next Door, an insightful view of the lives of four physical and cognitively challenged roommates. Shortly thereafter, Tom’s desire to make a difference met with his mother’s inspiration and resulted in his founding Dreams for Kids. Since inception, Dreams for Kids has been an important community organization and has impacted the lives of over 25,000 children. Dreams for Kids unique and varied Dolphin Spirit programs have appeared on local, network and cable television and have been featured in magazines and newspapers around the world. Through the Extreme Recess Program, children of all abilities are given the opportunity to come from the sidelines of life and experience the activities and friendships of their dreams. The work of the youth driven Dream Leaders is changing the local and world communities. Holiday for Hope is the world’s largest children’s holiday celebration. At the peak of his law career, after determining he could make the most significant difference through the global expansion of Dreams for Kids, Tom stepped away from his law practice and assumed full time responsibility with the youth organization he founded. Tom has been recognized by several organizations for his work on behalf of children. He is a member of the National Speakers Association and has spoken extensively to business organizations, labor unions, student groups and educators. Tom’s message speaks to the principle that every person can make an extraordinary difference, every child deserves the opportunity to fearlessly pursue their dreams, and we all can compassionately change the world.

Inspiration

On December 24, 1989, I honored a commitment to my mother which continues today. On that day, in a small homeless shelter for mothers and their children called Clara’s House, the organization Dreams for Kids began its work. My mother, Patricia Tuohy, was a single parent who raised her four children with unwavering commitment and unconditional love. I was the youngest child, and with my mother’s guidance I was able to receive a college education at DePaul University and go on to graduate from DePaul Law School. Not wanting me to be satisfied with only achieving dreams of my own, my mother suggested, in late 1989, that I do something for children who were searching for hope. Although our family had struggled in many ways over the years, my mother always insisted that we remember those who were less fortunate than us. Thus began a journey which has given me my life’s greatest satisfaction and joy. Our party in Clara’s House has grown to become the largest holiday party for homeless and underprivileged children in Illinois. Each year, over 1,200 kids are treated to the party of their young lives, complete with games, face painters, crafts, and 3,000 toys donated by a United States Marine Honor Guard. This year, the Dreams for Kids Holiday for Hope Celebration will be held in 30 cities and 6 countries. Midway through the organizations history, my mother inspired me to reach further. After meeting a fifteen year old quadriplegic, J.J. O’Connor, Dreams for Kids expanded to create a program which our kids have named Extreme Recess. For those who have been isolated for far too long, Extreme Recess gives children with disabilities the opportunity to experience activities, such as basketball, baseball, soccer, water and snow skiing, horseback riding, sailing and kayaking, for the very first time in their lives. Although breast cancer took her life in 1995, we did not lose my mother then and we never will. Today, my mother’s enduring legacy and love lives on in the over 25,000 children whose lives Dreams for Kids has impacted. Not a single day goes by when I do not reflect on how extraordinary my mother’s life was. She lived with a single minded purpose and sacrificed everything for her own children. Now the strength of that commitment is felt in the families whose lives have been changed because of the way my mother influenced me. I continue to draw inspiration from her example. My mother’s life was pure dedication. She committed herself to her children’s welfare and, and as most mothers do she put her children first, above herself and her own needs. I have learned from my mother to never give up and to always act on principle. She often would recite one of her favorite lines with a smile, “It aint easy kid.” However, in my mother’s view, life’s difficult moments were no excuse to act without character. In teaching us to always remember there were those much less fortunate than us, my mother reminded us that it is for them which we must reserve our most generous gifts. I still learn from my mom and am certain her lessons will continue to influence my decisions for the rest of my days. On November 28, 2006, the book I wrote and dedicated to my mother, Kiss of Dolphin was published. It is the story of Dreams for Kids and contains the inspirational stories of the mentors and children who have made it all possible. The book is an enduring example of individuals who have found happiness in living a life of generosity and service to others. It is also written proof that when given hope, children can be inspired to live the life of their dreams. More than anything, Dreams for Kids and Kiss of Dolphin is my mother’s story. How a single person can set an example and create a legacy whose influence will last forever.