Colin Powell Comes to Harrisburg

Colin Powell Comes To Harrisburg
by Jo Sheppard

The rumors are true! Retired General Colin Powell is coming to Harrisburg and will meet with representatives of the local Tri-County Alliance for Youth (the local initiative of America’s Colin Powell with wagon Promise) on October 25 at the Atrium of the City Government Center in downtown Harrisburg. What brings this great leader to Harrisburg? Success! According to Dr. Steven Messner, superintendent of the Newport School District and chairman of the Tri-County Alliance for Youth, General Powell has agreed to the local Alliance’s request for a meeting because the Alliance has achieved its local goals for America’s Promise.

In April 1997, General Powell chaired the President’s Summit for America’s Promise — the Alliance for Youth, the national crusade aimed at producing a nationwide increase in positive youth development support for all children in need. The red wagon has become a symbol of this promise. Ten Harrisburg delegates, including Harrisburg Mayor Steven R. Reed, attended the summit. On March 12, 1998, more than five hundred citizens attended the Harrisburg Summit hosted by Penn State Harrisburg. In the two years that have past since the national summit, the local Alliance has concentrated on meeting the Promises made for Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry Counties. Local efforts have been concentrated on the following objectives:

That two thousand additional children would have access to five summit resources by the year 2000
That five thousand additional children would have access to at least one of the five summit resources by that same year
That a local summit would be convened to develop strategies toward meeting local summit goals
That collaboration between community based organizations, schools, corporations, communities of faith and individuals would be promoted
That efforts would be made to work with local corporations and obtain commitments in meeting local summit goals
That a community assets map and youth resource directory would be developed.

Local commitment to the Alliance and its goals has been strong. Governor Tom Ridge has been an active supporter of the America’s Promise since its inception. Both the Governor and First Lady Michele Ridge are deeply committed to promoting healthy behaviors and reducing behavior which puts young people at risk. Mayor Stephen R. Reed has provided the financial support and the visionary leadership necessary to insure that the Harrisburg regional efforts would be a success. Tiffany Elliott, a graduate of East Pennsboro High School, served as president of the Alliance Youth Council during its formative stages. Now a freshman at American university, Tiffany has been selected by the Alliance to introduce General Powell to the Harrisburg delegation. Along with Governor Ridge, Mayor Reed, Dr. Messner, and other local community leaders, Tiffany will have the opportunity to meet and listen to this great military hero who has lent his celebrity status to the cause of children.

Perry County artist Peg Finnen has been commissioned to complete a set of America’s Promise presentation crocks for the October 25 visit. Powell’s visit in the Tri-County area will also help the Alliance raise funds for local efforts. Local donations are being sought from corporate leaders who wish to attend the event. All donations will be used to fund reading and other school-based programming efforts Per Vera Cornish, Vice President of Operations, "Any businesses, industries or corporations interested in making a donation to the Tri-County Alliance for Youth can forward them to The Greater Harrisburg Foundation. Please call Janice Black at 717-236-5040 or Vera Cornish at 717-780-3277 for details on how you can help support the Alliance."

The Tri-County Alliance for youth is a volunteer organization and is actively seeking volunteers. If you can spend several hours reading to a child or have other talents or skills that can help young people achieve, please contact Pat Long at the Alliance office 717-567-2502.