Volunteers: Utah's Promise
Utah Commission on Volunteers
1-888-755-UTAH (inside Utah)(toll free)
1-801-764-0704 (outside Utah)
The quality of life in Utah has improved over the last year, thanks to many volunteers involved in a statewide campaign. News Specialist Nadine Wimmer shows how Utah's Promise continues to make a difference.
Students in Layton have addressed juvenile crime in their community by forming Youth Court. Here, young people try to help re-direct the lives of their peers.
Stephanie Snitker, Peer Court: "WE'RE REALLY TRYING IN OUR OWN WAY TO DO FOR THEM WHAT WON'T BE DONE IN A NORMAL JUVENILE COURT."
A young Utah County girl was reading below her grade level, until a volunteer tutor helped the girl excel.
"WE CHOOSE SOME BOOKS, AND WE GO TO THIS LITTLE TABLE BEHIND THE BOOKSHELVES AND WE START READING."
Both of these cases show how the massive volunteer program called Utah's Promise has launched a statewide spirit of service.
Governor Mike Leavitt: "GOOD PROGRESS IN ALL AREAS."
Governor Leavitt issued a progress report. The campaign has so far lead to a seven-percent increase in the number of foster families. 61 Communities have now been trained in safe neighborhood action plans. 22-hundred children at risk of becoming illiterate now read. And 73-percent of Utah teens now volunteer to serve.
Nadine Wimmer, Eyewitness News: "IT WAS EXACTLY ONE YEAR AGO THAT STATE LEADERS HEADED UP THIS PLAN WITH THE HELP OF RETIRED GEN. COLIN POWELL. IN THE LAST YEAR, LEADERS SAY, UTAHNS HAVE KEPT THEIR PROMISE, AND MADE UTAH A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE."
Now organizers are encouraging more individuals and businesses to get involved.
Steve Lindsley, KSL TV: "TO REALLY CELEBRATE THE SPIRIT BEHIND UTAH'S PROMISE THROUGH EVENTS AND STATEWIDE ACTIVITIES." The state will continue to monitor progress, but organizers say we'll see improvement on our own the more we get involved.
