Public Allies

This is historical material, "frozen in time."
The web site is no longer updated and links to external web sites and some internal pages will not work.

One America - Public Allies

Program:

Public Allies, Washington, D.C.

Contact(s):

Chuck J. Supple, President and CEO: (202) 822-1180

Purpose:

To teach young adults leadership skills and persuade them to pursue careers in nonprofit organizations

In 1991, two young people, Vanessa Kirsch and Katrina Browne, became frustrated with the media's continued portrayal of their generation as "slackers." Their research confirmed that young people were concerned about their communities, but did not know how to become involved. They also learned that nonprofit agencies were not good at recruiting young people, especially minorities, and their retention record for keeping young people in these jobs was lacking. Public Allies was created to identify young people who wanted to become involved in their local communities and create opportunities for them to explore careers in nonprofit organizations.

Program Operations

Public Allies recruits a multiracial group of young adults, ages 18-30, to serve in full-time professional apprenticeships over a 10-month period in nonprofit agencies. Participants ("Allies") have worked in a variety of places including youth development organizations, health care settings and community development corporations. They gather once a week for a workshop on leadership training, and they also participate in a Team Service Project, an activity where they examine the barriers that differences such as ethnicity, gender and race can present and learn how to utilize them as assets in strengthening communities. Upon graduation, the Allies either secure permanent employment or go to school. Public Allies is currently in seven cities across the country, including Washington, D.C., Raleigh, Durham, Wilmington, Milwaukee, Chicago, and San Jose.

Outcomes and Significant Accomplishments

The direct beneficiaries of the program are the Allies themselves, the organizations where Allies work, and the recipients of these services, including 20,000 youth and families Over 400 young adults, the majority of whom are people of color, have graduated from the program, a 90% success rate. A recent independent survey of program graduates, performed by the Institute for Higher Education Policy, found that 64% of those currently employed are working for nonprofit organizations, while 19% work in the private sector, and 8% in government. Graduates said that the skills they have found most valuable are: their ability to work with people of different races; team-building skills; communication skills; and the ability to adjust to different work environments. The majority of the graduates have remained significantly involved in community-service projects.

-More South-Page 4

Network to Freedom Interpretive Studies Program

North Carolina Students Teach and Reach Program

Oktibbeha County Race Relations Team

Operation Understanding DC

Partners in Peer Mediation: A Collaborative for Safe Harris County Schools

Plan to Foster Minority Representation and Participation in Physical Therapy

Prejudice Awareness Summit

One America - PRO Hampton County (Pride Respect Opportunity)

Project Apprentices for a Positive Tomorrow

Project Harmony

Public Allies