Making a Difference in the Lives of Youth
The statistics for today’s young people are grim. More than 25 percent of students – and nearly half of blacks and Hispanics – will not graduate high school. One in 12 will attempt suicide. Our country ranks 20 out of 21 developed nations in child well-being.
It’s time to do right by our nation’s children. America’s Promise Alliance has made Five Promises to the youth of America. Jackson County Civic Action Committee, Inc. has joined them in helping fulfill these promises to South Mississippi’s children. The Alliance selected the Mississippi Gulf Coast as one of four national locations to launch the Promise Zone initiative.
The initiative is part of the “15 in 5” campaign. The campaign hopes to improve the lives of 15 million students in five years.
The five promises laid out by America’s Promise are caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, effective education and opportunities to help others.
JCCAC believes a strong focus on education will make all five of these promises a reality. With programs such as Junior Achievement and Mississippi Scholars, the organization is empowering young people to take control of their lives and help their communities.
The Mississippi Scholars program emphasizes a diverse and rigorous curriculum for high school students. With strong grounding in math and science, the curriculum seeks to prepare students for the academic challenges of college. It also teaches students commitment to a plan of action. Three thousand students are participating in the program. Statewide, 11,000 students have graduated from the program.
Combating the common student refrain “Why do I have to learn this? I’m never going to use it” is Junior Achievement. JA emphasizes workplace readiness and imparts skills students will need in the working world. JA also encourages students to use their business acumen to make their neighborhoods and communities more robust and prosperous. Nearly 700 students participate in this program.
Children’s cultural experiences are expanded with field trips to educational activities such as plays and museums.
JCCAC has partnered with several local businesses and organizations to fulfill our promises to students of South Mississippi. As part of the program, JCCAC must match all funding and be able to create relationships that can sustain the various programs and initiatives beyond the five years of the initial program. Businesses like Chevron and Mississippi Power, just to name a few, have stepped up to help fund these much-needed programs for South Mississippi’s youth. JCCAC also works with groups like the Boys & Girls Clubs and the WIN Job center to further initiatives.
JCCAC is working hard to make sure the children of South Mississippi don’t become another grim statistic.
Collaboration Partners
Boys & Girls Club of Jackson and George Counties
Jackson County Civic Action Head Start
WIN Job Center
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Gulf Coast Deltas
Gulf Coast Latin American Association
Tabernacle of Faith
Jackson County Chamber of Commerce
Junior Achievement
Bible Study Baptist Program
United Way of Jackson and George Counties
Boys & Girls Club of Mississippi Gulf Coast
Gulfport Kappa League
Moss Point School District
Pascagoula School District
AT&T
