AMERICA'S PROMISE DAY DECLARED IN FALL RIVER

FALL RIVER, MA (May 21, 2010) —

Mayor William Flanagan, the Youth CHOICES Collaborative and CD Rec are pleased to proclaim that May 21st is America’s Promise Day in Fall River. The purpose of this day is to: 1.) promote the America's Promise youth development framework, 2.) recognize those agencies and organizations that are currently fulfilling the 5 Promises (i.e. have been designated as a Promise Place), and 3.) identify next steps. Since 2007, Fall River has embraced and utilized the America’s Promise Framework which helped the City become one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People.

Thirty-four AmeriCorps Massachusetts Promise Fellows gathered in the City of Fall River to have their monthly meeting, to celebrate America’s Promise Day and to fulfill the 5 Promises.  The AmeriCorps members strive to ensure that all youth in the Commonwealth have resources available to them to that help them to lead a successful life.  These resources include America’s Five Promises to youth: a caring adult, a healthy start, a safe place, an effective education, and an opportunity to serve their community.  At over thirty locations from Boston to Great Barrington to Fall River, the Fellows dedicate a year of their life to the youth of Massachusetts.  CD REC and the City of Fall River has been a host site for three years. 

 Mayor Flanagan stated: “I am very excited in Proclaiming this day May 21, 2010 as America’s Promise Day here in our City.  It is wonderful to welcome all the Massachusetts Promise Fellows throughout the state to the City of Fall River.  The fellows sitting here today have given back to so many communities in the Commonwealth as well as right here in Fall River and I say thank you.”

Annemarie Sharkey, the current Massachusetts Promise Fellow in Fall River, will lead her colleagues in fulfilling the 5 Promises for the students at the Alfred S. Letourneau Elementary School.   They will help the students to understand the importance of diversity, tolerance, drop-out prevention and education through the America’s Promise Alliance.  Grace Gerling of CD REC said of the Fellows visiting an elementary school “It will not only highlight the work of the Massachusetts Promise Fellows, but also the hard work of those in Fall River working towards giving our youth the Five Promises and helping them to succeed.”  They will be reading books from Alma Powell; America’s Promise and My Little Wagon. 

Jamison Souza of CD Recreation and Co-Chair of Youth CHOICES added “Bringing the leaders and organizations not only from here in Fall River but throughout the state to talk about giving the Five Promises to youth as well as to show that we are invested in the youth.  I know many organizations are meeting the promises, but more can be done. I encourage individuals and organizations to step up get more involved.” 

“The success of the Massachusetts Promise Fellowship would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our host sites.  We are grateful to CD Rec, the City of Fall River, and Mayor Flanagan for continuing to promote the 5 Promises.  We are excited to be here today in Fall River and look forward to capitalizing on the momentum we gain today and bringing it to our other sites throughout the Commonwealth.”  Kori Redepenning, Director of the Massachusetts Promise Fellowship

Currently, Fall River is in the process of once again applying for to be recognized as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People.  The application will emphasize Fall River’s investment and commitment to youth leadership and development, including the Youth Bill of Rights, Youth VOICES, the Youth CHOICES Collaborative and the improvement the school department as well as the community in the drop-out prevention efforts.  “Several years ago we introduced this concept and it has taken off and America’s Promise Day will highlight the work that has been done and that we as community are doing” said Christian McCloskey of Youth Services and Co-Chair of Youth CHOICES.  “Our goal is to once again to be recognized as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People.  With the help of the Massachusetts Promise Fellow and the various agencies and organizations meeting the promises, these goals are truly attainable.”

One of the aspects of the 100 Best application is the number of Promise Places that a community has registered.  A Promise Place can be a school, community organization, church, business, or any other organization that provides all Five Promises to young people in their community.  Promise Places inspire others to take action on behalf of youth by raising awareness of local outlets providing the Five Promises to young people. There are thirteen agencies in Fall River that are recognized as Promise Places: United Neighbors, CFC’s Family Planning, SMILES, CD Recreation, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, South Bay Mental Health CDAP, Mass Info Tech, Peaceful Coalition, DYS, Youth Build, St. Vincent’s Home and Fall River Youth Services.