THE ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH

America's Promise in North Carolina

North Carolina's Promise is a statewide initiative developed to provide every child in the state with access to fundamental resources needed to lead healthy and productive lives. Following the state summit on America's Promise and Volunteerism, the campaign began with an unprecedented collaboration of the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters, the North Carolina Outdoor Advertising Association and the North Carolina Press Association to raise the awareness of the need for all citizens to help "change the outcomes" for our children and youth.

The mission of North Carolina's Promise is to mobilize people from every sector of American life to build character and competence of our state's youth by fulfilling the FIVE PROMISES: an ongoing relationship with a caring adult; safe places with structured activities during non-school hours; a healthy start and healthy future; marketable skills through effective education; and opportunities to give back through community service.

Since its inception, North Carolina's Promise has worked with various organizations and businesses to increase citizen and business participation. Supported by the Pepsi Bottlers of North Carolina million dollar gift to the mentoring campaign, the Governor's Mentoring Initiative has heightened the public's awareness for the need to get involved through mentoring. Through small grants to support various mentoring organizations, training and technical assistance, NC Promise will continue to increase the citizen participation in mentoring and other youth activities. However, there is still a strong need to continue supporting the youth of this state and provide them with the FIVE PROMISES.

Neighborhoods, congregations, schools, and agencies can provide the FIVE PROMISES. Many citizens can connect with young people and increase their access to caring adults. Hence, the success of America' Promise in North Carolina depends not only on developing new programs, but also on residents recognizing and tapping into their own capacity to make a difference in young people's lives.

The theme of North Carolina's Promise is, "It only takes an hour to change a life." An hour a week over an extended period of time with a mentor or caring adult can provide a young person with the positive influence he or she needs to lead a successful life. Mentoring can be done by just about anyone, at almost anytime, and in almost any place. By working together, North Carolinians can make sure no child is left behind.

NC Promise supports the goals of FIRST IN AMERICA, an ambitious plan to have North Carolina public schools become the best schools in the nation by 2010. A cornerstone of this effort is the importance of building strong ties with schools, families and communities. Through the efforts of NC Promise more mentors and tutors are helping in the public schools to raise the achievement level of students and to ensure that every child in North Carolina achieves at high levels.