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How Iowa's Promise was Founded
Iowa’s State of Promise initiative has its roots in the America’s Promise summit held in Des Moines in June, 1998. More than 1,700 Iowans attended and became familiar with America’s Promise. General Colin Powell began the event by delivering the keynote address emphasizing the importance of fulfilling the Five Promises of America’s Promise.
Since the summit, the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service has joined forces with the Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development (ICYD) to lead the charge for Iowa to become recognized as a State of Promise. In December of 2004 Iowa was officially announced a State of Promise by Governor Tom Vilsack.
Iowa's Promise staff, are active members of the Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development (ICYD)— a state-led interagency initiative designed to better align policies and programs and to encourage collaboration among multiple state and community agencies on youth-related issues.
ICYD is charged with attaining the vision and goals of Iowa's Promise through a network of state agencies committed to the positive development of youth. ICYD ensures state policies and programs help facilitate the use of effective youth development practices in communities throughout Iowa.
With the support and encouragement of their families, schools and communities, Iowa youth will be more successful in future endeavors. The Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development is working to make certain that youth have opportunities to be involved in their communities, practice healthy behaviors, be socially competent, be successful in school, and are prepared for a career and a productive adulthood.
By creating partnerships within Iowa communities, the Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development is empowering young people to have a positive impact on the future of this state.
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