Gerald R. Ford, James "Jimmy" Earl Carter, Ronald W. Reagan by Mrs.Nancy Reagan,
George Bush and William "Bill" Jefferson Clinton
Independence Hall, Philadelphia, PA., April 28, 1997
Signed and endorsed by President George W. Bush, The White House July 9, 2001
Two centuries ago, America was founded on the proposition that just as all people are endowed by
their Creator with inalienable rights, citizenship entails undeniable responsibilities. As each of us
has the right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, each of us has an obligation to give
something back to country and community - a duty to take responsibility not just for ourselves and
our families, but for one another. We owe a debt of service to fulfill the God-given promise of
America, and our children.
In this time of opportunity - at the dawn of a new century and a new millennium - the need for
shared responsibility is self-evident.
The challenges of today, especially those that confront our children, require a special commitment of
us all. People of all ages and from all walks of life must claim society's problems as their own,
pulling together, leading by example, and lifting American lives.
Our obligation, distinct and unmistakable, is to assure that all young Americans have:
Caring adults in their lives, as parents, mentors, tutors, coaches
Safe places with structured activities in which to learn and grow
A healthy start and healthy future
An effective education that equips them with marketable skills
An opportunity to give back to their communities through their own service
"The Wind Beneath Our Wings" - America's Promise
America's Promise: A Crusade for Youth
By General Colin L. Powell, Founding Chairman
Most Americans believe that "getting kids off to the right start" should be our number one national priority. Yet, despite our best intentions, one of the great ironies of America today is the extent to which our youth are not getting the nurture they needed to grow up into successful adults.
Dramatic social changes have occurred in our society over the past several decades. Among these are the greater incidence of divorce, the demands placed upon working parents, and the gradual undermining of extended families and traditional community support systems. These changes have given rise to an America in which even young people from comfortable homes may lack the resources they need to grow up healthy, confident, and successful.
None of our youth, however fortunate, are entirely safe from such menaces as drugs, violence, academic failure, irresponsible sex or other social pathologies of our time. All young people are experiencing difficulties in growing up these days, and young people from disadvantaged circumstances often have it the hardest.
America's Promise calls on all Americans to scale up their investment in our youth; to challenge young people by having high expectations of them; and to engage youth with opportunities to realize those expectations through constructive, character-building activities.
We cannot provide all young people with idyllic childhoods, as much as we would like to do so. But, we can----and we must ---- provide them with the minimum requirements they need to grow up into self-supporting and contributing adult members of society. We do this by keeping five basic America's Promises.......
We, as parents, neighbors and staff of Beyond Our Walls, Inc (BOWs) pledge to make a difference in the lives of children of the Tri-County Regions of South Carolina by fulfilling the following promises:
Ongoing relationships with caring adults
BOWs Volunteers will build relationships by participating in activities at the neighborhood schools. Volunteers will also encourage parents to involve their children in mentoring, tutoring, coaching, and other programs existing in the community.
Safe places with structured activities to learn and grow during non-school hours
BOWs Volunteers will participate in activities before school hours, during the school day and encourage children to get involved in after school programs at the schools and in the community.
A healthy start and future
BOWs Volunteers will encourage children to make healthy food choices, will support families in making certain all the children have required immunizations, regular dental and medical appointments and practice good hygiene.
Marketable skills through effective education
BOWs Volunteers will participate in planned activities to enhance school curriculum and help provide resources to help children especially those experiencung difficulties in academics, behavior and social skills.
Opportunities to give back through community service
BOWs Volunteers will participate in activities and organizations that encourage community service - so that the community service cycle continues.
BOWs will not compete with fine organizations already in existence, rather we will be the vehicle to make certain children who need the services are served. In essence, our job at BOWs is to mobilize resources and individuals on behalf of our youth.
We need your help to make a difference in the lives of our children and an investment in the future of our great nation.
As Americans and Presidents, we ask every caring citizen to pledge individual commitments of citizen service, voluntary action, the efforts of their organizations, or commitments to individual children in need. By doing so, this nation pledges the fulfillment of
America's promise for every American child.
Thus, was the birth of America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth
Founded 1997
To learn more about America's Promise, we invite you to visit their website at www.americaspromise.org.
The parents, neighbors and staff of Beyond Our Walls (BOWs) have been inspired by the goals of America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth and the challenge set forth by the Summit Declaration of 1997. It is our goal to reach into our neighborhoods and make certain school children have an opportunity to have an adult from their neighborhood involved in their lives. Our staff will connect children with existing resources and opportunities to assure them the benefits of America's Promise. This article by General Colin Powell, Founding Chairman of America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth, sets the stage for our crusade,
Bill Clinton, Alma Powell, George Bush, Sr., and Colin Powell
