Many people ask us what it means to have a federal Promise Neighborhood Grant. Now that we are into our second year of the grant, we have many discoveries to share.  We have learned that we are part of a network of communities around the U.S. where schools, community agencies, organizations, families, and others are coming together to create conditions that give children and youth a promising future. Their work together leverages existing assets and capacity and they use the U.S. Department of Education (ED) Promise Neighborhood grant to grow those community-based assets into a sustainable network of cradle to career opportunities for children, youth and families. The hallmark of Promise Neighborhood Grant projects is strengthening communities from within.

Some of the Promise Neighborhood projects around the U.S. are located in communities like Grand Rapids southeast neighborhoods.  Some are located in more remote and rural areas where access to programs and services needed to give children and youth a bright future are scarce. We have learned that, no matter the location and circumstances, the communities working under a Promise Neighborhood grant have important things in common:

• Belief in the value and potential of each and every person to contribute to a healthy and stable community
• Commitment to ensuring that the children and youth of the community receive what they need to grow into adulthood with opportunity and promise

Read the full Director's Report

In February, the D+I teams met to fine-tune the work accomplished through the SOAR process and incorporate stakeholder feedback that has been received throughout this journey. Aspiration and Result statements have been reworded to reflect consistent language across teams. The teams are in the process of reviewing strategies and practices that will lead to the desired outcomes. Additionally, teams are examining current cradle-to-career resources that are available within the community and determining ways to leverage these existing resources.  

We truly have amazing team members, all devoted to giving their best to assure we are not only hearing their voices but also the voices of the departments, communities, and/or organizations they represent.  Teams continue to welcome new members.  Contact us to learn more. 

Upcoming meetings