Bryan Crabtree introduced Dr. Barry Reilly, the first Executive Director of the Promise Council, who has been in the role for a little over a year. Previously he served as the superintendent of Bloomington Public Schools District 87 for 12 years. Reilly explained that the organization’s focus is simple: helping children and families get the things they need to succeed.
The Promise Council now reaches over 19,000 students across 4 school districts to address needs ranging from clothing, food, hygiene, and school supplies to transportation, dental and medical needs, and emergency assistance. They have added several elementary schools over the past year and the Ridgeview district, as the needs of local families continue to grow.
Meeting the basic needs of students can make a significant difference in their feelings, attendance, and ability to succeed at school. School social workers often exhaust the traditional resources available to families before turning to the Promise Council for help.
The Promise Council recently held its first fundraiser, the Walk for Kids, which raised more than $33,000, and is also working to connect 100 caring adults with local students.
The presentation highlighted the strong connection between the Promise Council’s mission and Kiwanis’ commitment to helping children. For more information check out https://promisecouncil.org/
