The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and regional officers.
June 2000 Issue
Keeping America’s Promise
Over 15 million children in the United States are in jeopardy of becoming the victims of abuse or violence, dropping out of school, lacking job skills for a stable future, using drugs or becoming involved in crime.
General Colin Powell has challenged Phi Theta Kappa to join forces with America’s Promise to combat these disturbing trends.
Here’s how your chapter can help.
America's Promise – The Alliance for Youth was founded in April 1997 at the Presidents' Summit for America's Future in Philadelphia, at which all five living Presidents, with former First Lady Nancy Reagan representing President Reagan, challenged all Americans to contribute their time, talents and resources to support the nation's youth. America's Promise was formed as the instrument that would carry forward the work of the Summit and provide the national leadership required to achieve its enormous mandate.
“Our strategy is simple,” said Michelle Rothengast, Commitments Director for Higher Education at America’s Promise. “We work to enhance what is already being done for youth. By encouraging the use of the Five Promises as a shared framework, we increase the scope of youth centered programs, encourage collaborations—and most importantly—create a broad alliance maximizing the resources kids receive. It translates into real results for our kids.”
The five basic promises are:
1. An ongoing relationship with a caring adult–parent, mentor, tutor, or coach;
2. A safe place to be with structured activities during non-school hours;
3. A healthy start;
4. A marketable skill through effective education; and
5. An opportunity to give back through community service.
Phi Theta Kappa chapters planning to participate in the Society’s new International Service Program are strongly encouraged to register as Chapters of Promise by September 22, 2000. By doing so, your chapter will be included in Phi Theta Kappa’s comprehensive report to America’s Promise. America’s Promise publishes an official Report to the Nation every spring, which chronicles the progress of commitments America’s Promise partners have made in helping the nation’s youth. Becoming a Chapter of Promise is easy! Register on-line!
Chapters of Promise choose one or more promise areas to focus on for their chapter’s service program.
| Retired General Colin L. Powell delivered the America’s Promise “Report to the Nation 2000” to President Bill Clinton at the White House on May 26. Phi Theta Kappa is featured in the report as one of America’s Promise 1,000 partners nationwide. The Society officially launched a two-year International Service Program initiative with America’s Promise at Phi Theta Kappa’s International Convention in Orlando, April 20-22. For more information about the Report to the Nation, visit America’s Promise on the web. |
“We signed up to work in all five areas because we really feel inspired by all of them,” said Jenna Strickland, chapter vice president at Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, Colorado. “We plan to work towards all of them equally.”
The chapter is already planning a children's health fair for the fall and working on an after-school program for high school students.
Why Wait Till Fall? Phi Theta Kappa members at Rio Salado College in Tempe, Arizona, have dived into the Service Program – literally – by sponsoring a “Summer in the Sun” program for underprivileged youth. The program includes swimming lessons at the city pool and educational field trips to area attractions such as the Phoenix Art Museum.
“The chapter is specifically targeting physically-challenged teens, youth with behavioral problems, and those with dire home situations,” explains chapter advisor Janine Adkins-Pierce. “These are youth who need love, care, support, and companionship.”
When school resumes this fall, chapter members plan to continue their mentoring by serving as educational tutors for, and sharing hobbies with, these young students. Several members have been specially trained to serve as reading and writing tutors for those with specific handicaps and learning disorders.
Is your two-year college a College of Promise?
Your college may already have made a commitment to America’s
Promise as a College of Promise. If so, your chapter can take the lead
in assisting your college administration in fulfilling their Promise goals,
providing a win-win situation for both your college and your chapter!
At Calhoun Community College in Decatur, Alabama, one of the nation’s first Community Colleges of Promise, “the Phi Theta Kappa chapter has already committed to insuring that the children at Somerville Road Elementary School have the five fundamental resources they need for successful lives,” reports the college’s Executive Vice President, Gary Green. Activities include:
- Helping groups or individuals with homework assignments
- Serving as reading tutors
- Improving the English language skills of Hispanic students
- Assisting with the physical care of medically fragile students
- Assisting classroom and special education teachers as needed
Phi Theta Kappa’s partnership with America’s Promise provides chapters with a wide range of service opportunities…start planning now to make a difference in the lives of our youth!