1. AustinAmerican-~tatesmanApril 19, 1999
Teaching by doing
~alph Barrer<IIM -S
Johnny and Clem Clarke will receive the Governor's Volunteer Award today for therr work with Vision Tour, which they started to help underprivrleged youths.
'My wifeandIarea
greatteam.Idon't
make any big
observationsor
assumptions. Jjust
practice the golden
rule as much as ~
t:an.'
Johnny
Clarke
Couple help youths get fresh vision offuture
BY REBECCA THATCHER
•mencan-StatesrT'an raff
A
s 111 ' mplovee of the Texas attor-
ney ~ener:1l 's chrld support divi-
srnu. Clem Clarke sees a depress-
mg number· of teen-agers whose
l <~.ck •lf dreams of their 'uture prompted
·hem '0 l1ave babies before their own
··h Ildhootl was over.
Probabll' no one would blame her if she
spent her ,·enmgs on rhe h1ke-and·btke
r.ratl or wrth 1 gooct murder mystery.
But Clarke 1ncl her husband. .Johnny.
decided two )'Pars 1go to devote their ''e-
nings and weekPnds ro helping teens de-
velop 1 new VISIOn of the1r future. Their
) rgantzation. VislOn Totu·. gets strugghng
youths 1m·olved ln volunteer ism and rakes
them on a weekJong- summer tour to Wash·
ington. D.C.. ;md New York City.
The 95 teen-agers visit the Cap1tol. the
White Konse. the Stame of Libert)' and
orher symbols of frL>edom. They also study
Harnet Tubman ancl the underground
·a1lroarl. md they're challenged to rhmk
~ bout how they can ap[)ly the lessons ro
heir own lives. Clarke sa1d.
Go,·. George W. Bush wiU gh·ethe Clarkes
and nrne other Texas volunteers ,mel ,•ol·
unteer orgamzations the Governor's Vol·
unteer .ward at 2 p.m. today ,tt the
Govern01··s Mansion.
"Througl10ut the Lone Star State,
,•olunteers .tre reaching the IllttC'rat~ . tc!'d
ing the homele ·s. helping rhe 11J anrl <'lc!Prl·
and working ro improve rhe1r rouunuiu
ties.· Bush said in ai1110llncm~; rhe awards
-· RecogntztngOtltSWIHI ingTfX(lS 'OIUI11(1l'r"
i ·a -;tnall way w say 'than k ~·ou.· ·
Clem Clarke is n. communit· t)tlll'<'iH.:h
coordinator fOt· the tttorncv ;enc-r:ll"-.. t)f·
lice.She has been a volunteer Ilt.ustm e'<'r
since she rnoved here tn 19!k1. bur .;he w:b
msp1red to beg1f1 Vision Tour when 1 24
ve;tr·old mother ·,f 1 pregnarit t:l- ycar-olrl
~trl came to her oiTice for help.
Clarke sa1d she grew up pour ·met dtd ll<lt
tlunk much of herself IS :m 0'l'l'IVPI,;:IH
See Couple's, 86
2. Couple's
volunteer
work ·s
onored
Continued from Bl
teen-ager. But her father and a
teacher pushed her to fulfill her
dreams. she said.
She holds an undergraduate de-
gree from Mississippi Valley State
University and a master's in vo-
cationalrehabilitation counseling
from Southern illinois University.
"My father always told me,
'Clem. if you don't have goals, if
you don't have dreams. you have
nothing.' " she said.
Johnny Clarke. who holds an
undergraduate degree in market-
ingfrom the UniversityofTexas in
San Antonio. takes responsibility
for counseling many of the young
men on the Vision Tour.
He said many of them lack male
role models. and he enjoys show-
ing them the proper wayfor grown
men to talk and act.
''My wife and Iare a great team,"
he said. "I don't make any big ob-
servations or assumptions. I just
practice the golden rule as much
as [can."
Clarke works for Looksmart, an
internet company.
Sam Loughlin, a lawyer with
Vinson & Elkins who gives the
Clarkes free legal advice. said he
became interested in working
with them when he saw Johnny
Clarke speak to a group of youths
at the Michael Jordan basketball
linic last year.
Loughlin said he knew from his
work as a substitute teacher how
hard it is to keep teen-agers' at-
tention. and yet all eyes and ears
were tuned to whatJohnny Clarke
was saying.
··r was really impressed with
their dedication and obvious love
for these kids," he said.
Ralph Barrera/AA-S
Johnny and Clem Clarke walk through their neighborhood on Manor
Road, where they have helped more than 170 teen-agers by involving
them in volunteer work and organizing educational summer tours.
The summer tour is more than
just a vacation for the youngsters,
Loughlin said.
"It's not just travel, it's expo-
sure, exposure to a way ofthinking
and a type of life that is unimag-
inable to them," he said.
Monae Hutton, a sophomore at
LBJ High School, was part of the
Vision Tour last year and said the
experience had a lasting effect on
her.
"It made me want to be a part of
my community," she said.
Another Austin organization,
VICTORY Tutorial Program, was
among 12 finalists for the
governor's award. The group,
whose initials stand for Volun-
teers in our Communities Tutor-
ing our Responsible Youth, offers
volunteer tutoring at the city's
branch libraries. About 600 stu-
dents have been tutored this year,
said program supervisor Carolyn
Shelley.
You may contact Rebecca Thatcher at
rthatcher@statesman.com or 912-2941.
6. JULIANA A. PEREZ
MATCH/PATCH PROGRAM
SAN ANTONIO
VOLUNTEER MANAGER/ADMINISTRATOR CATEGORY
When families are separated, juliana Perez is always there to pick up the pieces. She is
the program coordinator of both the Mothers And Their CHildren (MATCH) and the Papas And
Their CHildren (PATCH) Programs. Perez initially volunteered in 1985 with MATCH, an innova-
tive inmate parenting program in which inmate mothers earn the privilege of aweekly one
hour contact visit with their children by attending parenting and life skills training during the
week and maintaining good behavior. Her social services background led her to realize it was
the children of the incarcerated who needed their parents the most, even though these parents
were behind bars. In 1989, Perez became a paid staff member of the MATCH program and to
support fathers with the same needs as mothers, the PATCH program started in 1993. For over
ten years, with the assistance of hundreds ofvolunteers, she has provided parenting and life
skills education for over 4,000 inmate parents. Over 12,000 children have been helped with the
trauma of separation from their incarcerated parents.
There are many individual success stories from program participants, ranging from par-
ticipants who returned to college, obtained full-time employment, became community advo-
cates and volunteers, and most importantly have chosen to be good citizens and positive par-
ents to their children. Children's school grades rose, their home and school behavior
improved, their separation anxiety lessened and they were reassured of their parent's love and
physical safety. Perez's commitment to the children of her community, by working with their
incarcerated parents, is an investment in breaking cycles of incarceration, neglect, violence, and
substance abuse.
-
JOHNNY AND CLEMETINE 'CLEM' CLARKE
VISION TOUR
AUSTIN
FAMILY CATEGORY
johnny and Clem have always been known as "doers" in their community. While
working at the Office of the Attorney General Child Support Division, Clem met a 24 year-
old grandmother. This meeting spurred her to take action. She and her husband johnny
already enjoyed many opportunities as board members of nonprofit organizations over the
years, but now they were ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work on giving young
people the hope of a better life. They created Vision Tour, a grassroots program designed
to teach young men and women to explore their world, to introduce them to people will-
ing to make a difference in their lives, and to constantly reinforce education and volun-
tecrism.
The 'Tour' takes a group of young people on a summer trip, where they visit cities
like New York and Washington D.C., learning to explore hist01y and acquiring an apprecia-
tion for survival and freedom. The organization also holds monthly meetings and hands-on
volunteer projects to continue the learning process. Their most ambitious project to elate
is the formation of the Urban Leadership Foundation. This corporate entity will extend the
reach of Vision Tour and provide young people opportunities to learn about business prac-
tices and the principles of entrepreneurship.
The Clarkes continue to profess their belief that if teens are productive citizens in
their respective communities, in turn, they will build productive cities, states, and coun-
tries. They are dedicated to encouraging young people to never give up having vision or
hope for their future.
-
7. City of.9Lustin
Proc[amation
r.Be it l(nown ~y these presents that
I, 1(fr/(Watson, Mayor ofthe City of.9Lustin, CI'e?(as,
do herebyproc[aim
Jufg9, 1998
.9ls
o/ision fJ'our '98 f})ag
in.9Lustin, andca[[on a[[citizens tojoin me in recognizing
that 1/ision?:our, nominatedfor the Presidentia[1000Points ofLight
.9Lwarc£ JCPennys' (jo[den 2{ufe.9Lwardandthe foca[1(1/11124 ":Five Who
Care "Community Service .9Lwarc£ hasgainednationa[attentionfrom r.B[acl(
tE,ntertainment rrefevision andhasprovedsuccessju[in redirecting.9Lustin's
youth to successju[vo[unteerism andjob opportunities as we[[as motivating
.9Lustin'syouth to makJ_ a difference in their communities, andin recognizing .
that the program's commitment to vo[unteerism has fed to aphenomena[
success rate in the prevention ofteenage pregnancy as we[[as a reduction in
negative socia[patterns among teens, andin recognizing that the devotion of
time andenergy to such aprogram, wi[[feadto abettersocietyfor today's
th andthe youth offuturegeneratiqns.
J/xvt]}Jrg~!Jvfayor
Xjr(.'Watson
9. A gift ofworld vision
C
lemetine and Johnny Clarke
bring different passions to Vision
Tour, a program for teen-agers
created three years ago in Austin.
She is inspired by the caring adults
who mentored her
when she was an
awkward young girl
with a reading dis-
ability. He is in-
spired by his son,
who lives in another
city, to help local
teen-agers.
This year, the
nonprofit organiza-
call her, has met 23-year-old grand-
mothers whose vision of the world
doesn't extend beyond their neighbor-
hood. And she has worked with incar-
cerated youth who had never visited
another city.
tion has received the Clemetine and Johnny Clarke
To broaden teen-
agers' horizons, the
Clarkes take them on
tours of U.S. cities,
pair them with adult
mentors and enlist
them in local
community-service
projects. In 1997, they
took 85 teen-agers on a
tour of historically
blackcolleges. In 1998,Governor's Volun-
teer Award in the category of family
service. Only 10 community groups
throughout the state are receiving the
award, and Vision Tour is the only
Austin organization being honored. A
ceremony is scheduled for April 19 at
the Governor's Mansion.
Vision Tour's goal is to help teen-
agers, many who lack exposure to
college-educated adults and profes-
sionals, make better choices through
exposing them to new experiences. As
an employee at the Texas Attorney
_ General's Office, Clem, as her friends
they took 85 youth to Washington, D.C.,
and New York City, where they visited
cultural and historical sites.
This year, participants will follow the
trail of the Underground Railroad, the
perilous trek to freedom for runaway
slaves.
A CD case distributed by Vision Tour
is inscribed with this powerful quote
from Mark Twain: "Explore. Dream.
Discover."
The program has helped local youth to
do so. It is more than worthy of the
award.
10. Pregnant children
F
or Clemetine Clarke the choices
were simple: Do something or do
nothing about the myriad issues
facing teen-agers.
As an employee at the Texas Attorney
General's Office she met 23-year-old
grandmothers and pregnant children
whose vision of the world
didn't extendbeyondtheir
young lives.
Her follow-up initiative is Vision
Tour '98 - Freedom Quest, which will
bring "Teen Summit," a nationally
televised program on Black Entertain-
ment Television, to Austin next week.
The popular BET show,which has a live
audience, wanted to tape
a program in Texas on
neighborhood. (Today,
she's a new business rep-
resentative at Pepsi Cola.)
She also has worked with
incarcerated youth who
had never visited another
city. Their limited expe-
riences limited their
choices.
Austin also
beat out the
other cities
teen pregnancy. Clarke's
persistence lured the
producers to Austin
rather than Dallas or
Houston. which were
initially considered be-
cause of their large pop-
ulations. She is respon-
sible for selecting from
throughout the state the
teen-age audience mem-
bers for the program
which will be taped Feb.
28 at the KLRU studios.
Vision Tour '97, which
took Austin teen-agers to
Washington, D.C., was
Clarke's attempt to help
youth see the infinite
possibilities for their lives
and prevent more child
mothers and teen-age
::riminals. It was success-
_ul. Eighty-five teen-agers
and 15 adult mentors
traveled to Washington
via Atlanta, sharing ex-
because ofa
tragic statistic:
Travis County
has one ofthe
highest
teen-age
pregnancy
rates in the
state.
But Austin also beat
out the other cities be-
cause ofa tragic statistic:
Travis County has one of
the highest teen-age
pregnancy rates in the
state.
periences and dreams for their lives as
they stopped at attractions along the
route. Since the trip, the teen-agers
collectively have spent more than 100
hours in community service projects.
However, by focusing
attention on the problem via "Teen
Summit," Clarke may help Austinites
poolthe resources to tackle the problem.
She deserves our gratitude for taking
an interest in our youth. For more in-
formation about Vision Tour '98, call
928-4075.
Clarke's is the type of grass-root.
hands-on effort that can transform
11. -
IF THE SHOE FITS
Allstaters put best foot forward with shoe drive
··_, ·-".>....-~~~ 'r! S:.,t 1 i( - ... ~'·1 !}..., 't..'
"a .: u ~- : ; ··,~ .i' '":c
Housing Authority of ' usun, Austin Resource
Center for the Homeless, Cedar Ridge
Children's Home ~md He,llthy Families ot-
_;._iVLGL E NOT OWNING A DECENT PAIR OF Tra·is County
shoes to wear to work or not being able to Shoe drive coorduutor Jnd Agent
atiord a pair of shoes for Advocate Nancy Draper
vour child to wear to sl·S lJstHe's particip.t-
school It is unthinkable for t1on helped double the
!llost ot- us, but for low- number of shoes collecL-
incomc individuals and ed t'or the drive.
families. it is .1 f.tct of ltfe. .. The agents were cxcit-
Now. through the etforts of ed .1bout the response
Allst~tte agenrs ~111d employees they received ,wd ['nl
in the Austin .lrt.',!. more Liun ,llre.tdy gettiug calls .1bout
two thou-;,md pair-; of-ncw or do1ng it agaiu this ye.~r."
gently used shoes ,neon the s.1ys D 1·aper.
feet ot-mcn, women .tnd fusti11 Urban
chi lclrcn in need Lt',l de rs h1p Fo und,lt 1on
The effort was a partncr- Dirl'ctOr Clem Cl.Jrk s.1ys
ship between Allsute; Auslin t llst.ltc's p.nticip.ltlOtl in
Market Cbiu1 Ottl.ce, agents the shoL' drivc hel~)t'd
am1 Thc Urban Leadership make the effort ,l grcll
Founchrion, a non-profit ~uccess.
organization in Austin. ·' [ really enjoyed working
Collection boxes -..-~-------•----•PII"'M~~'~~~-••-IIII!'•'!rll Vith the Allstate
were set up 111
agent offices
throughout AustilL
Postcards were sent
to customers, and
newspaper ads were
used to publicize
the effort and
request donations.
The shoes were
donated to the East
Austin Heald1)
Neighborhood
Association, the
Allstate employees and Aust1n area volunteers gather to sort and d1stnbute
shoes for the The Bottomless Closet Shoe Dnve.
employees and
seeing them get
involved," says
Clark, "and this
event has ,l great
impact on tht'
conununicy. One
young person who
received a pair of
shoes chat day told
us that it was the
first pair of new
shoes he had ever
owned!"
12. July7, 1998
Ms. Clementine Clarke
Project Coordinator
·Vision Tour
P.O. Box 140553
Austin, TX 78714
Dear Ms. Clarke,
AT&T
5th Floor
5501 LBJ Freeway
Dallas, Texas 75240
AT&T is proud to sponsor the 1998 VisionTour. The VisionTour project contributes in a
substantial way to improving the community, a commitment that AT&T values highly.
We look forward to hearing of your wonderful experience when you return. Good Luck
and Bon Voyage!
]p~~
Darrick Eugene
Government Affairs, AT&T
••••c
13. OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
PO. Box T ·Austin, Texas 78713-8920
(512) 471-1232 ·FAX (512) 471-8102
July 1, 1998
Mrs. Clemetine Clarke
Post Office Box 140802
Austin, Texas 78714-0802
Dear Mrs. Clarke:
It is my pleasure to invite you to serve on the School of Social Work
Advisory Council of The University of Texas at Austin for a three-year
term, beginning September 1, 1998.
As a member of the advisory council, you provide a link between The
University and the greater community, helping to educate and inform
others about programs and activities taking place in the School of Social
Work. You also assist in obtaining financial support from private sources
for the benefit of the School.
I look forward to your participation as a member of this important
advisory group. A response form and postage-paid envelope are
enclosed for your convenience, or, you may prefer to fax your response
to 512/475-7743.
Your commitment to The University is greatly appreciated.
LRF/drw
Enclosures
cc: Vice President Johnnie Ray
Dean Barbara W. White
14. GURASICH
SPENCE
DARILEK
MCCLURE
October 11 , 1999
Clementine & Johnny Clark
Urban Leadership Foundation
P.O. Box 140553
Austin, TX 78714-0553
Dear Clem & Johnny:
We at GSD&M are thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in a partnership
with the Austin Symphony and the Johnson/Long Dance Company in the world
premiere of Grand Motion, a multi-media musical event by Austin composer
Darden Smith. We would like to invite you and the young people of the Urban
Leadership Foundation to be our guests at a very special Dress Rehearsal
Performance on Thursday, November 4 at Bass Concert Hall.
In Grand Motion, Darden Smith traverses the country's emotional and historical
landscape from the late 1800s to the rapidly approaching millennium and
beyond. Acknowledging and praising the American spirit, Grand Motion marvels
at where we have come from and where we are headed. I believe this unique
collaboration of live music and dance communicates a message of hope for the
next century-a message especially relevant to young people.
From our own experience at Idea City, we have learned that to communicate in a
powerful way, you must intrigue, captivate, entertain and encourage someone to
feel and to think. I believe that Grand Motion will do just that. A unique, live
theatrical experience such as this can inspire the imagination of a young person
to go places and seek challenges never before thought possible.
Darden Smith, as well as members of the symphony and dance company, have
generously agreed to spend time visiting with our young guests, allowing them to
take part in a night they will never forget. The program will be appropriate for kids
from the sixth grade up, and we ask that you provide your own transportation
and at least one adult to accompany every 10 kids attending. Please send us
your list of students and their addresses by Monday, October 18 so that we may
mail each of them an invitation. You may fax this list to Ellen Hanrahan at 427-
4700
Knowing that we share the same passion for the future of our youth, I hope you
and t~eople you work with will join us for this very special occasion.
Bes(reaard~
IDEA CiTY • 828 WF.ST 6TH ST. • AUSTIN, TX • 7870) • PHONE 512 127 47_}6 • I'AX 512 427 4700
15. Clementine Clarke
Urban Leadership Foundation
815-A Brazos
Austin, TX 78701
Dear Clementine Clarke,
Allstate®FOUNDATION
Congratulations! The Urban Leadership Foundation has been awarded an Allstate
Foundation grant.
Enclosed is the check in the amount of $5,000 from the Allstate Foundation. For tax and
bookkeeping purposes, it is very important that you deposit this check as soon as it is
received.
To positively promote your organization's program and the work of the Allstate
Foundation, we will contact you to set-up an official grant presentation with Michael
Walker. Please note you will not need the original check for this presentation.
Please feel free to contact me at 972-871-1758 or via e-mail aftexas@allstate.com if you
have any questions.
Again, congratulations on receiving an Allstate Foundation grant. Allstate salutes you
and the Urban Leadership Foundation for making a difference in the community.
Sincerely,
Sandy Hsu
Allstate Foundation Coordinator
CC: Michael Walker
16. ID'4~ j;~n.at~ nf
ltlf~ ~tttt~ .nf ~.exat•
GONZALO BARRIENTOS
STATE SENATOR
May 26, 1998
Ms. Clementine Clark
Vision Tour'98
P. 0. Box 140553
Austin, Texas 78714
DISTRICT 14
P.O. BOX 12068 AUSTIN. TEXAS 78711
HAYS (PARn & TRAVIS (PART) COUNTIES
Dear Ms. Clark and Participants in the Vision Tour'98:
(512) 463-0114 FAX: (512) 463-5949
TOO: 1-800-735-2989
I am envious. I only wish that when I was a teenager there was a program like Vision Tour'98. As
we approach the new millenium, it is crucial that our youth have an opportunity to see other cities,
talk to people from differenct social , economic and cultural backgrounds, and gain a sense of their
own history as well as that of their country.
FreedomQuest is a great idea and will offer great challenges to all of its participants. I commend
everyone involved in putting together Vision Tour'98 and know that you are helping our youth
explore other experiences that will shape their future lives. By visiting New York, Philadelphia, and·
Washington, D.C., this year's participants in Vision Tour'98 will be visiting historical sites and
covering geographical areas that play a role in the formation of our nation's history. Not many of
us, at any time in our lives, are able to do what you will be doing this summer. I urge you to make
the most of it: learn as much as you can, question who you are and how you fit into American
History, and talk, talk, talk to everyone. Then, come back and share your experiences with your
friends, family, and neighbors.
By going on FreedomQuest, you have already made a statement that you want to explore what other
people haye to offer. All of us can make a difference in our own lives and that of others.
I hope you have a great trip.
Sin~erely,25:£:/'-.
~Gonzalo Barrientos
State Senator
GB!bfu
17. LLOYD DOGGEIT
COMMITTEE ON Tf-'E
BU DGET
COMM!I.E!: ON
RE SOURCES
Vision Tour '98
P.O. Box 140553
Austin, Texas 78714
~*>
([ongress of the United States
!-1ousc of Representatiocs
March 13, 1998
Dear Students and Chaperones:
.'J~:5Hifol_j":"Q"J O F~ ·C E
126 C~ II'I,H.) .II,j 8 Ut l 011'4G
'll.l.; ,.. ,"'(j"ON. DC 20515
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Av STIN . rx 7870'
• 51219 1&-5 ~ ? 1
e-mad ·tlcvc aoqgen@,-.a il t'louse go ·.
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Vision Tour '98 will be making its way to Washington, D.C. this summer and I want to extend my
best wishes to you on your trip. I know that you will find this experience educational as well as
an event to treasure for years to come.
Washington, D.C. is rich with history and excitement. This tour will give both students and
chaperones a firsthand look at how our country was built, where we have been, where we are
today, and a glimpse into the 21st century. You are truly fortunate to have this opportunity to
visit the nation's Capitol and experience history in the making.
As your Congressman, it is an honor to serve you and your families in Washington, D.C. As I
walk the halls ofthe Capitol every day, I am reminded of the historical traditions and democratic
spirit of this city and hope you experience this as well. I look forward to seeing you upon your
arrival at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
OQINTEO ON AECYCL£D DAPEA
18. MAILING:
CITY
Mrs. Clementine Clark
Vision Tour '99
P.O. Box 140553
Austin, Texas 78714
Dear Mrs. Clarke:
OF SAN
MARIO SALAS
COUNCILMAN
DISTRICT2
ANTONIO
October 1, 1998
As we approach the new millennium, it is crucial that our youth have an opportunity to see
other cities, talk to people from different social, economic, and cultural backgrounds, and
gain a sense oftheir own history as well as that oftheir country.
Vision Tour is a great idea and will offer great challenges to all ofits participants. I
commend everyone involved in putting Vision Tour '99 together, and know that you are
helping our youth explore other experiences that will shape their lives in a positive way.
Together we can make a difference, and I strongly recommend that all who are willing
become involved with our youth and the future that they hold.
Your success in Austin for the past three years has yielded not only national attention by
way ofBlack Ent.ertainment Television, but I am also aware that you were a finalist in the
Presidential Points ofLight program. Congratulations! Your ability to work with the
corporate community and the social service community is commendable. I know that we
can expect the same level of professionalism and commitment to the young men and
women of San Antonio that those of Austin have enjoyed by way ofVision Tour.
I look forward to your making the most ofyour trip, and giving the young men and
women who will explore our world an opportunity ofa lifetime. I know that I will enjoy
the stories that will no doubt result from the trip and the many pictures and fond memories
that are sure to be created.
Sincerely,
VJ~~h---Mario Marcel Salas
City Council, District 2
P.O. BOX 839966
CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
CITY HALL (21 0) 207-7040
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78283-3966 FAX (210) 207-7027
19. TEXAS'PLEDGE
KEEPING AMERICA'S PROMISE'M
September 16, 1999
Ms. Clemetine Clark
P.O. Box 140802
Austin, Texas 78714
Dear Ms. Clark,
P.O. Box 13385
Austin, Texas 78711-3385
Tel. 512.463.1814
Fox 512.463.1861
VI/WIIY.txserve.org
I am writing to invite you to serve on the 1999-2000 Texas Pledge Advisory Council. Because Governor Bush and I
want to help Texas young people find the resources they need to become successful, we have made personal and
professional commitments to The Texas Pledge.
During the 1997 Presidents' Summit for America's Future, five U.S. presidents and General Colin Powell declared
their bipartisan support for an initiative called America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth. America's Promise
works to provide children with five fundamental resources to help them become successful adults:
Mentor- An ongoing relationship with a caring adult: mentor, tutor, coach
Protect - Safe places and structured activities during non-school hours to learn and grow
Nurture - A healthy start
Teach - A marketable skill through effective education
Serve- An opportunity to give back through community service
After the Presidents' Summit, my husband answered General Powell 's national call to action, proclaiming a major
statewide initiative to improve the lives of young people in Texas. This initiative, The Texas Pledge - Keeping
America's Promise, is led by the Texas Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (TxCVCS) and
Rosie Mauk, TxCVCS chairwoman. Through local initiatives, TxCVCS helps solve the state's problems by
encouraging volunteer participation and community service.
The Texas Pledge- Keeping America's Promise is in its second year of operation. Currently, 28 communities take
part in this important and worthwhile project. In the next few weeks, you will receive a letter from Dr. Cathy Hirt,
chairwoman of the Texas Pledge Executive Committee, detailing the program. You will also receive information on
the first meeting of the Texas Pledge Advisory Council, to be held on Sunday, October 17, during the second
annual Texas Pledge State Summit in Fort Worth. The 22"d annual Governor's Volunteer Leadership Conference
will be held in conjunction with the summit.
Thank you for caring about the children of Texas.
Honorary Chairwoman
The Texas Pledge
AMERICASPROMISE
THE ALLIANCE FORYOUTH™
909 North Washington Street
Suite 400
Alexandria, VA22314-1556
Tel. 703.684.4500
Fox 703.535.3900
www.americaspromise.org
