Thirty-four AmeriCorps Massachusetts Promise Fellows gathered in the City of Fall River to have their monthly meeting, to celebrate America’s Promise Day and to fulfill the Five Promises. Mayor William Flanagan, proclaimed May 21, 2010 as America ’s Promise Day in Fall River to: 1) promote the America's Promise youth development framework, 2) recognize those agencies and organizations that are currently fulfilling the Five Promises (i.e. have been designated as a Promise Place), and 3) identify next steps. Mayor Flanagan stated: “It is wonderful to welcome all the Massachusetts Promise Fellows throughout the state to the City of Fall River. The fellows sitting here today have given back to so many communities in the Commonwealth as well as right here in Fall River, and I say 'thank you.'” Annemarie Sharkey, the current Massachusetts Promise Fellow in Fall River, led her colleagues in fulfilling the Five Promises for the students at the Letourneau Elementary School. Grace Gerling of CD-REC said of the Fellows visiting “It not only highlighted the work of the Massachusetts Promise Fellows but also the hard work of those in Fall River working towards giving our youth the Five Promises and helping them to succeed.”  They read books from Alma Powell, America’s Promise and My Little Wagon. Since 2007, Fall River has embraced and utilized the America’s Promise Framework which helped the City become one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People. Click here for the Fall River Spirit article. For more information, contact Annemarie Sharkey at 508-679-0922.

(Top row) Mayor Flanagan welcomes groups of promise fellows from across Massachusetts to the Veteran's Memorial Auditorium on Bank Street along with Annemarie Sharkey, Jamison Souza, Grace Gerling and Christian McCloskey. (Middle row, left) Rantimi Oluwasegun, Anita Yip, and Kerri Foley read to a class at the Letourneau Elementary School. (Middle row, right) Teiko Akufo points out an illustration while Jennifer Rokke reads. (Bottom row, left) Meghan Feeley reads to the class while Michele Wendling and Minh Nguyen listen.  (Bottom row, center) Trisha Mah reads while James Chan looks on. (Bottom row, right) Trisha Godio, Cecelia Auditore, Christine Roque thank the children for the chance to read to them.