America's Promise - Five Promises

Five Promises

1. Ongoing relationships with caring adults – parents, mentors, tutors, neighbors,youth volunteers 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,neighbors,youth volunteers, extended family members and tutors. Parents are the most important but children need the support of other positive adults in their lives as well. 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 – parental 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.