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	"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." -Mahatma Gandhi
	101 Ways to Help Others # 21 Take a grade school class to the Zoo
	Nominate Individuals and Groups for the 2008 Youth Service Utah Award

Are you a youth and interested in volunteering in Utah? Then this is the place for you! Here you will find information on how you can make a difference in your community through service and volunteerism. Learn about the Utah Youth Summit, opportunities for awards and recognition, how to contact your local volunteer center, and see what youth volunteers in Utah are doing today. During the summer of 2007 the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Utah Commission on Volunteers will be sponsoring a "Summer of Service" initiative. (See link below for additional information.)

Utah's Promise

WHEN WAS UTAH'S PROMISE INITIATED?
In April 1997, Retired General Colin Powell joined all living former U.S. Presidents in initiating America's Promise, a nationwide effort aimed at ensuring the nation's youth receive five essential promises. Six months later, the state of Utah responded to General Powell's call for service and launched its own effort.

WHAT IS UTAH'S PROMISE?
Utah's Promise is a grassroots effort that mobilizes volunteers to improve local communities. It also seeks to deliver five fundamental promises to Utah's children and youth:

A Caring Adult a parent, teacher, mentor, or coach;
Safe Places to learn and to grow;
A Healthy Start in life for a healthy future;
Marketable Skills through an effective education; and
Opportunities to Serve and give back to the community.

HOW IS UTAH'S PROMISE ORGANIZED?
Unlike most statewide efforts, Utah's Promise is supported primarily by volunteers. The Utah Commission on Volunteers, a Commission of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, provides some staff support, but most of the work is accomplished by volunteers.

Communities that decide to participate in the Utah's Promise effort pledge their commitment to the cause by becoming a "Community of Promise." By doing this, a community determines issues, sets goals, obtains commitments and initiates efforts to improve the community.

WHAT HAS UTAH'S PROMISE ACCOMPLISHED?
Since its inception, more than 60 communities have become involved with Utah's Promise, 24 of which are "Communities of Promise." Most communities, as a way to provide a marketable skill to their youth, have established literacy programs. American Fork, for example, founded a Literacy Center where children and adults alike can receive reading instruction. Safe Neighborhood teams have been created, all of which have partnered with local officials to ensure safe community environments. Youth courts have been established as an alternative to the juvenile judicial system, allowing Utah youth a chance to provide service in their communities. These are only a few of the ways Utah's Promise is making a difference in the lives of Utah residents.

HOW TO CONTACT UTAH'S PROMISE
For more information on Utah's Promise, please contact the Utah Commission on Volunteers at (801) 538-8700.

"The little red wagon. A symbol of childhood. It could be filled with a child's hopes and dreams or weighed down with their burdens. Millions of American children need our help to pull that wagon along. Let's all pull together." -Retired General Colin L. Powell