Roots Of Promise

Caring Adults Ongoing relationships with caring adults- Parents, mentors, tutors or coaches offer youth support, care and guidance
Safe Places safe Places with structured activities during non-school hours provide both physical and emotional safety for youth

A Healthy Start Adequate nutrition, exercise, and health care pave the way for healthy bodies, healthy minds and smart habits for adulthood.

Effective Education Marketable Skills through effective education help youth navegate the transition from school to work successfully.

Opportunities to Help Others Opportunities to give back through community service enhance self esteem, boost confidence and heighten a sense of responsibility to the community

Mission:

Roots of Promise: The Alliance for Children and Families is a coalition working to reduce substance abuse by ensuring that all children in Yellowstone County have caring adults, a healthy start, safe places, an effective education, and the opportunity to serve.

History:

Roots of promise reflects a merger between Billings promise (est. 1998), the Billings Drug Prevention Planning Committee (est. 2000), and the Community Resource Center (est. 2002). The merger took place in the fall of 2005. The coalition has worked on many substantial projects to increase youth access to the five promises, including: Discover Zone (an after school program at Lewis & Clark, Will James, and Riverside); Second Chance homes (sober and supportive living for parents and children); The Platform for Children and Youth of Yellowstone County; and Celebrate & Connect events.
Funding:

* Drug-Free Communities, a federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMSHA)
* Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program
* US DHHS Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau
* In-kind support is provided by United Way of Yellowstone County, Montana State University-Billings, and other coalition members.

Fiscal Agents:

Since the coalition is not its own 501 (c)(3), any funding must run through an existing 501 (c)(3). currently, United Way of Yellowstone is the primary fiscal agent for the coalition, providing all office space and equipment.