Selection as one of the 2007 100 Best Communities for Young People.
Neighborhood Networking Grants Signing Ceremony.
Ch. 1 Summer Kickoff sponsored by Promise Partners.
PROMISE PARTNERS: MISSION STATEMENT
Promise Partners mobilizes all of Pottawattamie County and empower people to share resources to fulfill the Five Promises for all children.
We work to mobilize people from every sector of American life to build the character and competence of our nation's youth by fulfilling Five Promises:
1) Ongoing Relationships with Caring Adults;
2) Safe Places with structured activities during non-school hours;
3) Healthy Start and future;
4) Marketable Skills through effective education;
5) Opportunities to Serve and give back to the community.
PROMISE PARTNERS: VISION STATEMENT
All Pottawattamie youth will be healthy and safe, have marketable skills and opportunities to serve, and will be engaged in positive activities with caring adults.
NEWS & EVENTS
Pottawattamie Youth Council Taking Applications
The Pottawattamie Youth Council (PYC) is seeking applications for membership on the 2010-2011 Year. PYC is a program of Promise Partners, Pottawattamie County’s Alliance for Youth, which seeks to promote philanthropy and service among the county’s teens.
PYC was established in 2007 as an opportunity to promote youth development and leadership in today’s youth. PYC members learn about philanthropy—the giving and sharing of time, talent or treasure intended for the common good.
Now in its forth year, PYC is comprised of high-school aged youth from Pottawattamie County. PYC members distribute approximately $38,000 annually in grant funds to local organizations and groups that support youth, children, and families. Members evaluate grant requests, learn about community needs, participle in volunteer opportunities, and have fun while doing it. “There is no one better to determine the needs and solutions to youth problems in our community, than youth themselves,” says Emily Davis, advisor to PYC.
“Youth grant making is important to our community because youth make up a huge portion of the community & our problems are really big, just like adult’s are,” say Becca Hilderbrand, PYC member, “when we have youth involved, we can relate better and help decide what are the most important things for their needs”.
PYC meets for two hours once a month beginning in October and ending in April. In order to become a member, youth are required to attend a Kick-Off and Orientation event on Sunday, October 17 from 3-6pm. Location is yet to be determined. PYC members are also expected work together to plan and participate in service opportunities throughout the area.
“My favorite part of PYC is giving back to the community, getting involved, meeting local youth, and having the opportunity to put my stamp on the community,” says Nolan Mantell, PYC member.
Youth attending school or living in Pottawattamie County, are encouraged to apply for membership. To apply, complete an application here or check the group out on Facebook . Applications must be received by October 1, 2010 to be considered.
27th ANNUAL GOVERNOR’S VOLUNTEER AWARDS PRESENTED
Local Volunteer Recognized
Steve Pistillo, AmeriCorps Member in Council Bluffs, received a Governor’s Volunteer Award from Governor Chester J. Culver during a special recognition ceremony held July 16 in Ankeny, Iowa.
The Governor’s Volunteer Awards (GVA) program was created in 1982, with inaugural awards presented in 1983. The program has grown from a small program only available to state agencies to its present function of providing all Iowa nonprofit, charitable, and government organizations with an easy and effective way to honor their volunteers with a prestigious state-level recognition award.
Volunteers may be nominated for an award in one of several categories: Individual, Group, Length of Service, or Disaster Volunteer. Nearly 800 volunteers were selected for awards in 2010.
Steve Pistillo was honored with an Individual Volunteer Award by the Community Partnership for Protecting Children for his work in the community through Promise Partners, Pottawattamie County’s Alliance for Youth.
“The devotion of these volunteers has helped Iowa achieve the second highest state volunteer rate in the country,” said Governor Culver. “Lt. Governor Judge, the First Lady, and I are honored to have this opportunity to personally thank this year’s award recipients for donating their time, dedication, and talent to make a tremendous difference in our state.”
The most recent “Volunteering in America” study, released June 15, details the millions of hours that volunteers in Iowa collectively contribute. The estimated annual economic impact of that service is well over $1 billion. The entire report can be viewed at www.volunteeringinamerica.gov.
The Governor’s Volunteer Award program is coordinated by the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and the Governor’s Office. For more information, visit www.volunteeriowa.org or call 515.725.3094.
THANKS TO
