Developing Your Commitment

Each community college commitment will be uniquely designed to serve the needs of the community, fulfill the college’s mission, and best use the college’s resources.

College commitments can range from providing space and resources for an after-school program to providing young people access to all five fundamental resources. They can include new programs and ideas or build on the success of developed programs. The main objective is to develop a concerted community effort to reach out to young people and provide them the support and skills they need to achieve academic success, and personal success, and to become a contributing member of the community.

Commitment Program Ideas
Listed below are activity and program ideas that community colleges can include in their America’s Promise commitment.

The five fundamental resources

1. An ongoing relationship with a caring adult – mentor, tutor or coach.  
   
   Develop an after school tutoring program with faculty and college students.
   Develop a mentoring program (online or in person). 
   
   
2. Safe places and structured activities during non-school hours. 
   
   Sponsor an after school tutoring, cultural, community service, or sports program.
   Host career information workshops for students.
   Provide summer education and community service programs.
   Partner with service agencies to provide after school community centers. 
   
   
3. A healthy start. 
   
   Organize a health fair for local schools or community programs. Offer health services (vision screenings, substance abuse prevention programs, nutrition information, vaccinations, sexual health programs, etc.) for schools and community youth programs. 
   
   
4. A marketable skill through effective education.  
   
   Host career and education awareness days. Participate in Groundhog Job Shadow Day or offer other job shadowing opportunities. Offer computer skill/training classes. Offer internships for high school students. Offer curriculum development assistance to local schools. 
   
   
5. An opportunity to give back through community service. 
   
   
   Organize service projects for students or include students in campus service projects.
   Host a National Youth Service Day project.
   Host a Martin Luther King Service event.
   Offer leadership training to young people.
   Sponsor a youth council.

When creating your commitment and implementation plans do not overlook the array of resources available on your campus and in the community. Uniting these local resources will ultimately assist in strengthening the entire community. 

Campus resources include:

Academic and service programs and projects
Faculty
Students
Sports fields and equipment
Buildings
College programs
Technology
Equipment
Public relations
Campus policies
Student philanthropic programs

As trusted community organizations, community colleges work with a variety of community groups. This position will assist in the development of partnerships with organizations that can help assess the needs of your local young people and develop creative ways to fill these voids. 

Potential community resources include:

Non profit organizations
Local businesses
Corporations
Service clubs
Parents
Young people
Community leaders
Community volunteers
Athletic organizations
Neighborhood associations
Local government agencies
State Community Service Commissions
Local Communities in Schools offices
Other higher education institutions
Communities of faith
Special interest groups