National Promise Place

“Together we can – and we will – prepare children and youth for college, work and life.”

-General Colin Powell

We are pleased to announce that Arts in Action has been designated a National “Promise Place,” a distinction bestowed by America’s Promise Alliance, which was founded by General Colin Powell.

This honor was granted to Arts in Action for providing activities and opportunities to West Virginia Children that will help ensure they graduate from high school ready for college or the workforce by teaching skills in the arts, instilling discipline and imparting confidence in children to help them grow into responsible, caring and productive citizens.

Arts in Action has a significant on the lives of children through arts education. Every student in the Arts in Action program is provided with the key components of the Five Promises, which help build the foundation that children need to succeed and grow into happy, healthy and productive adults.

America’s Promise Alliance is the nation’s largest partnership organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth by raising awareness, supporting communities, and engaging in nonpartisan advocacy. Through their Grad Nation campaign, they harness the collective power of our partner network to mobilize Americans to end the high school dropout crisis and prepare young people for college and the 21st century workforce. Building on the legacy of their Founding Chairman General Colin Powell, the Alliance believes the success of our young people is grounded in the Five Promises—caring adults; safe places; a healthy start; an effective education; and opportunities to help others.

Less than one-third of America’s children have the basic resources they need to be successful, which is resulting in an increased risk of crime, substance abuse and dropping out of school.

The arts education that Arts in Action provides helps at-risk children build skills that will help them overcome obstacles so that they can graduate from high school and achieve long-term success in college or the workforce.

“The Arts in Action curriculum provides special education benefits to the children of West Virginia. It empowers them to be successful in this new global economy through increased exposure to culture and the arts, which are vital to educating the whole child. I extend my best wishes… I have no doubt this worthwhile program will continue ‘Impacting Lives through the Arts’ for many years to come,” stated Joe Manchin, III, United States Senator and former Governor of West Virginia.

For more information about America’s Promise Alliance, please visit their website at: http://www.americaspromise.org/.