America's Promise

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

America's Promise Alliance is a foundation founded by Colin Powell in 1997 to help children and youth from all socioeconomic sectors in the United States.[1]

Presidents' Summit for America's Future

The idea of a presidential summit to encourage greater volunteerism and community service originated with former Michigan Governor and longtime volunteerism leader George W. Romney, in a proposal he drafted just four days before his death in July 1995.[2]

In late April 1997, Romney's vision was fulfilled, as Presidents Bill Clinton, George H. W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, and Gerald Ford and First Lady Nancy Reagan, representing President Ronald Reagan, met at the Presidents' Summit for America's Future in Philadelphia. An estimated 5,000 volunteers were present in Marcus Foster Stadium.[2] Also present were 30 governors, 100 mayors, 145 community delegations, dozens of prominent business leaders and several thousand citizens. Powell was chairman of the conference. At this conference the Presidents asked the nation to make youth a top priority and to support the "Five Promises".

Organizational history

Powell subsequently became the Chairman of America's Promise, the outgrowth of the summit. He held that position until his appointment as U.S. Secretary of State but still actively supports the foundation. Alma Powell is currently Chair of the Alliance.

The foundation works with hundreds of companies, non-profit organizations, faith based organizations, educational institutions, as well as government agencies to achieve its goals.

John Gomperts has served as CEO since 2012.

America's Promise also has a public policy affiliate organization called First Focus.[3]

In 2009, America's Promise Alliance published GradNation: A Guidebook to Help Communities Tackle the Dropout Crisis, a tool that includes suggestions for how a community can keep students in school and prepare them for life after school.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Biography of Colin Powell, 2010
  2. 1 2 "Clinton kicks off volunteer summit". CNN. April 27, 1997.
  3. ↑ http://www.firstfocus.net
  4. ↑ A Call to Action, 2010

External links

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