President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell hold a press conference about America's Promise

America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth is a foundation started by Colin Powell in 1997 to help children and youth from all socioeconomic sectors in the United States. Image File history File links President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell hold a press conference about organization, Americas Promise, in the Rose Garden July 9, 2001. ... Image File history File links President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell hold a press conference about organization, Americas Promise, in the Rose Garden July 9, 2001. ... A Foundation is a type of philanthropic organization, set up by either individuals or institutions as a legal entity (usually either a corporation or a trust) with the purpose of distributing grants to support causes in line with the goals of the foundation. ... Colin Luther Powell, (pronounced koh-lihn, born April 5, 1937) was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving from January 20, 2001 to January 26, 2005 under President George W. Bush. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In late April 1997 Presidents Clinton, Bush, Carter, and Ford together with First Lady Nancy Reagan representing President Reagan met at the Presidents' Summit for America's Future in Philadelphia. Also present were 30 governors, 100 mayors, 145 community delegations, dozens of prominent business leaders and several thousand citizens. At this conference the Presidents asked the nation to make youth a top priority and to support the Five Promises. Powell was chairman of the conference and subsequently became the Chairman of the organization. He held that position until his appointment as Secretary of State but still actively supports the foundation. April is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of four with the length of 30 days. ... The President of the United States (often abbreviated POTUS) is the head of state of the United States. ... William Jefferson Bill Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe, III on August 19, 1946) was the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. ... George Herbert Walker Bush (born June 12, 1924) was the 41st President of the United States (1989–1993). ... James Earl Jimmy Carter, Jr. ... Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr. ... Laura Bush, current First Lady (2001-present) First Lady of the United States is the unofficial title of the hostess of the White House. ... White House portrait Nancy Davis Reagan (born July 6, 1921) is the widow of President Ronald Reagan and was First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989. ... Order: 40th President Vice President: George H.W. Bush Term of office: 21 January 1981 – 20 January 1989 Preceded by: Jimmy Carter Succeeded by: George H.W. Bush Date of birth: 6 February 1911 Place of birth: Tampico, Illinois Date of death: 5 June 2004 Place of death: Bel-Air... Philadelphia is a village located in Jefferson County, New York. ...

The foundation works with hundreds of companies, non-profit organizations, faith based organizations, educational institutions, as well as government agencies to achieve its goals. A complete list of partners can be found here.

Five Promises

1. Ongoing relationships with caring adults – parents, mentors, tutors or coaches
A caring adult serves as a guide, a mentor and a role model for young people. This sense of connection—within and outside the family—is a powerful factor that encourages good social skills, responsible values and a positive identity. Adult role models include parents, teachers, coaches, extended family members and tutors. All across the nation, America's Promise partners are connecting caring adults to young people.

2. Safe places with structured activities during non-school hours
A safe place with constructive activities gives youth an alternative to street corners, gangs and other harmful environments. A safe place nurtures young people's skills and interests, enriches their academic performance and gives them opportunities to contribute to their communities. America's Promise partners are responding by creating safe havens for young people.

3. Healthy start and future
Children need a healthy start before they begin schooling – prenatal care and early immunizations are vital in a child's first years of life. Children and adolescents also need accessible and affordable healthcare, including good nutrition; eye, ear and dental checkups; and regular exercise. America's Promise partners provide accessible and affordable health services for all young people throughout development.

4. Marketable skills through effective education
Marketable skills enable young people to prepare for employment in the 21st century. Young people must master basic academic and analytical skills, learn workplace etiquette and know how to use new technology, such as computers and the Internet. America's Promise partners help youth develop these essential career skills.

5. Opportunities to give back through community service
Community service not only benefits society, it also enriches the lives of people who provide it. Young volunteers have higher self-esteem, perform better in school, build leadership skills and learn how to solve community problems. Unfortunately, many youth are rarely asked to participate in community service – even though most volunteer when asked. America's Promise partners are providing numerous opportunities for youth to help their communities.

External links

• America's Promise Homepage
• MemoryWiki.org Entry on America's Promise