Carver Promise

In the fall of 1989, a small group of individuals from the higher education and corporate communities of Richmond came together and met weekly to plan The Carver Promise. During the next 18 months, this group of volunteers added to their numbers and worked to form a coalition with four local institutions of higher education and the Richmond Public Schools.

On Feb. 20, 1991, these four colleges and universities — J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, the University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia Union University — announced publicly a pilot project for a group of approximately 150 third-graders at George Washington Carver Elementary School. The two-part promise made to these students was to provide them with college mentors who would work with them as they moved through school and, when they completed high school, assist them in the college application and acceptance process.

Expectations

At the elementary-school level mentors are matched one-on-one with students. Mentors are expected to volunteer one hour a week and participate in an education and social activity. The middle and high school students each have an after-school program also consisting of college preparatory and social activities. Throughout the year, all Carver Promise students attend a variety of campuses, cultural events and athletic events.

VCU students interested in becoming a Carver Promise mentor should contact VCU Volunteer Services.