Related Link: http://www.americaspromise.org/introduction
Cyndi Fisher, Destination: Education IUK assistant (far left), and Mary King, coordinator (standing, third from left), are pictured with a few D:E students and mentors at the fall Enhancing Minority Attainment conference on the IU Kokomo campus. The program has been selected as a model for inclusion on the Presidents' Summit for America's Future Web site.By Jayne Spencer
An Indiana University Kokomo program that identifies and nurtures promising students who might not go on to college without assistance and encouragement has been recognized by the Presidents' Summit for America's Future.
The summit, sponsored by President Bill Clinton and the four living U.S. ex-presidents, met last week in Philadelphia to focus on the needs and concerns of children and youth and the social ills that are costing America $600 billion annually.
More than 1,700 community and state delegates representing more than 140 rural and urban communities, all 50 states and five territories convened to kickoff "America's Promise," a multi-year effort aimed at providing 15 million at-risk young people in America with resources they need to succeed into adulthood.
At an interactive Web site for the summit, Destination: Education IUK, a partnership effort between the IU Kokomo campus and area public schools, will be profiled as a model, along with 140 other programs nationwide chosen as "Teaching Examples."
Last month, Destination: Education IUK was tagged to receive $100,000 over the next two years to cover operational expenses as a result of the university's second round of funding for its Strategic Directions Initiatives.
Kokomo's early intervention/scholarship program was nominated for the Presidents' Summit honor by Leah Austin of the Kellogg Foundation, which provided funding for administrative costs for the program the past three years.
Selection as an exemplary program was based on demonstrated commitment to provide five fundamental resources to the nation's children and youth: an ongoing relationship with a caring adult; safe places and structured activities during non-school hours; a healthy start; a marketable skill through effective education; and an opportunity to give back through community service.
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Retired Gen. Colin Powell served as chairman of the summit, held at Independence Hall. Presidents Clinton, George Bush, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, represented by his wife, Nancy Reagan, were instrumental in initiating the summit. Speakers included Maya Angelou, Arianna Huffington and Andrew Shue.
Destination: Education IUK, now in its fifth year, is a model public-private partnership, with broad-based community involvement and K-12 cooperation. Through it, IUK works with the public schools to identify students at the end of seventh grade who need assistance, encouragement and support to remain in school and go to college. Those who persist are offered a $2,000 scholarship.
The first D:E IUK participants will be graduating from high school this spring. One member of the initial class completed high school requirements at mid-term and is already enrolled at IUK.
Another Hoosier program designated as a "Teaching Example" was the 21st Century Scholars AmeriCorps Program. Both IU Kokomo and IU East in Richmond were designated community partners in the program this past year. Each program provides guidance and service to hundreds of youth who fulfill a commitment to the state and receive tuition scholarships to public or private institutions in Indiana.
Related Link:
http://www.americaspromise.org/introduction
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