Giving Education a Lift
Dow Promise Helps Kids Realize their Full Potential
It began in 2000 as a vision to help residents in disadvantaged African-American communities realize their full potential, and has now expanded beyond the U.S. to help people of all nationalities improve their science and math skills, and thus their career prospects.
It’s Dow Promise, an employee-led initiative in which Dow employees “give back” to the community by sharing their knowledge and experience with children and adults who face economic or educational challenges.
“Dow Promise matches our youth with Dow volunteers who serve as tutors, mentors, and coaches,” said Smallwood Holoman, Dow Promise manager. “We work closely with many non-profit groups to support their programs and to reach out, one-on-one or with groups, to people who really need the help.”
Dow Promise has touched hundreds of lives, with more than 150 Dow volunteers logging thousands of hours helping others learn, excel and aspire to a world of opportunity in many different ways.
“Children need access to positive role models who can motivate them to achieve their dreams,” said Ron Major, Civil Lead-Engineering Solutions at Dow in Freeport, Texas. “As a volunteer, I participate in a Stock Market Game team activity for third through fifth graders where we make hypothetical investments. It’s rewarding to see them sharpen their math skills and grasp economic and financial concepts that will impact them for life.”
Soon, children in Cartagena, Colombia, will experience the Dow Promise too, according to Dow site leader John Gilchrist who wants to help area youth qualify for industrial jobs.
"Our goal is to improve the quality of education in many ways. Our first step is to introduce a hands-on science program to both students and their teachers as part of our volunteer program focused on improving education in the nearby town of Pasacaballos.”
Dow Promise not only lifts barriers to individual success, it also supports Dow’s ongoing commitment to sustainable development.
Living. Improved Daily. With the Dow Promise to give back.
