Caroline's Promise is roaring into its sixth year – its second with Darlene Keener at the helm – changing things for the better for the county's approximately 6,000 youth. Providing for the "physical, spiritual and emotional well-being of the youth" is Caroline's Promise intent, according to its Mission Statement. Initiatives have ranged starting up the service-oriented high school group Youth Ambassadors, to uniting the county's churches in Congregations of Promise, to getting set to launch a county-wide mentoring program – to name only a few.
Caroline Promise's latest move is to name this year's new Board of Directors – selecting church, business, education leaders as well as community volunteers who've distinguished themselves in contributing to the county. The two church representatives are Rev. Duane Fields and Rev. Kevin James. Both are exemplary in serving Caroline youth, said Keener who is Caroline's Promise Executive Director. Rev. Fields has launched Unity Outreach Ministries – with a year's worth of activities for Reedy Church area youth that keep them on the right track, and he's planning another, even more active year. Rev. James has built a popular and very well-attended youth program at Salem Baptist Church and last spring hosted a sexual abstinence program that brought a vibrant professional speaker to student assemblies at Caroline Middle and Caroline High School.
New board members also include Cynthia Green who is Social Services Director; Patricia Wright who has distinguished herself by her volunteerism; Garland Atkins, Caroline County's Finance Manager; Maureen Hijar who is Director of Instruction for Caroline County Schools, L.J. Moyer, of Century 21 Classic Real Estate, a prominent businesswoman who recently raised $13,000 for Caroline's Habitat for Humanity and who organizes Rotary's "Christmas Dinner for Seniors;" Kay Brooks, Caroline County Head Librarian; and Linda Sealy, of Crown Homes, who has backed and organized the building of Habitat homes.
Jacquelin Richardson, Children's Librarian, is serving as Fundraising Chair.
A major source of fundraising for Caroline's Promise is the "Redskins' Score for Caroline Kids," where Caroline County businesses donate one dollar for every point the Redskins score during their season. This nets about $30,000, if all the businesses follow through as promised. "What we really need, though, is $100,000 to do all the things we want to do," said Keener. Keener is awaiting word on a $200,000 federal grant to fund the launching of this year's Caroline's Promise Mentoring Program. If the grant does not come through, the program will still be initiated, said Keener.
Caroline's Promise is joining forces with Rev. Duane Field's Unity Outreach Ministry for its Sept. 3 "Back-to-School J.A.M." "J.A.M." stands for "with Jesus Achieve More."
This event drew 500 youth last year to celebrate the end of summer and motivate students to do well in school for the coming year. "I'm really excited about this coming year," said Keener.
"Caroline is going to really shine."
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