Five ways to change the future

Times Contributor   

 

Alberta’s Promise has five simple statements that will give individuals, businesses, agencies, corporations and governments the ability to change the future. 

“We believe that we have a collective responsibility to do more… and better, for the next generation… and that the opportunities we give children today will shape their success and our collective economic and social well-being tomorrow. It will make a huge impact on the future of Alberta,” said Cheryl Dalwood, Director of Alberta’s Promise, in Wheatland County council chambers on Jan 7. 

“Children are our greatest resource and we believe we need to pull together for their well-being.”

Alberta’s Promise is asking people to commit to: giving children a healthy start; being caring adults; providing children and youth with safe, friendly communities; developing opportunities for children to access lifelong learning; and supplying opportunities for them to contribute.

How those promises are kept is not mandated by the agency, and the fun part for individuals making the commitment is seeing how simple acts create amazing opportunities. No money contribution is necessarily involved. The bonuses are the well-being felt by being part of something positive. For organizations, Dalwood said contributing to child initiatives can validate the organization’s vision and goal statements. Being a partner in Alberta’s Promise also presents many networking opportunities and may be an easy and targeted way to distribute corporate giving initiatives.

“This is an opportunity to share amazing work throughout the province and champion work involved with children,” said Dalwood. “You may already be doing this, so you are just making a public statement that you are behind this.”

When someone accepts the promise, their contact information is taken and organizers place them in a database. When needs arise, or opportunities present themselves, appropriate contacts can be approached and connections are made. Those who commit also get free web exposure, as they become partners of Alberta Promise. The website also showcases exciting initiatives for children and posts informative workshops.

The concept was fashioned after America’s Promise which was championed by Colin Powell, a former United States General and presidential consultant. It is also supported by the Premier of Alberta, who appointed 84 members to the Alberta Premier’s Council. Those appointees work closely with partners to network and arrange opportunities for child based initiatives. Alberta is the only province to preserve children’s rights through legislation; the legislation was enacted in 2003.

There are over 1,600 partnerships province-wide. Some of the Wheatland County partners are Rockinghorse Oil and Gas Ltd, Toddle Inn Day Care, Byron Smith Ford, and the Community Crisis Shelter.

There are many interesting links at www.albertaspromise.org or for more information email info@albertaspromise.org.