Every Child | Every Promise

Every Child | Every Promise is an umbrella organization (but not a service provider) that connects people to resources and assists service providers in delivering the Five Promises to youth. We are a catalyst that facilitates collaboration among youth serving agencies. Collaboration helps eliminate duplication of services, promotes more efficient use of limited funds and builds a more effective delivery system.

Founded in 2004, Every Child | Every Promise was formerly known as Mississippi Valley Promise. Based on a model presented by the America's Promise Alliance, and in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, Mississippi Valley Promise brought the concept of every child, every promise to Dubuque County. In the fall of 2008, the organization officially changed the name to Every Child | Every Promise to reflect this work and provide consistency with the initiative. The mission of the organization has not changed.

America’s Promise Alliance uses the Five Promises framework to shape their efforts and improve the odds for youth:

•           1) Caring Adults
•           2) Safe Places
•           3) Healthy Start
•           4) Effective Education
•           5) Opportunities to Help Others

Children who receive at least four of the Five Promises are much more likely than those who experience only one or zero Promises to succeed academically, socially and civically. They are more likely to avoid violence, contribute to their communities and achieve high grades in school.

ECEP Community Publications

Dubuque's first-ever Community Growth Chart was created to help us understand the overall health and well-being of our children. The Growth Chart is a statistical measurement - a benchmark - of where we are and where we are headed as a community. The chart is designed to tell us if we really live up to our reputation as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People, and if not, where are we lacking? And what can we do to improve?

How we respond to this Community Growth Chart will have a profound impact on our children in Dubuque and Dubuque County. Read on...and be ready to act.

The Dubuque County Youth Master Plan was created in order to make available a community network of supports, opportunities and activities focused on specific, well-defined and jointly held goals and outcomes. Schools, non-profit agencies, parents, public and private sector leaders, healthcare providers and faith-based groups are engaged in this comprehensive effort. 

The Youth Master Plan now belongs to the people of Dubuque County. It will lead our community in realizing our vision for children. We call on every resident to become part of the movement to build a culture in which all families are supported and every child receives every promise.