Allstate's heritage of community involvement has extended to its support of America's Promise. By combining its financial and volunteer resources, Allstate is committed to helping the 15 million at-risk youth in America.

To some youngsters, gangs are part of the fabric of everyday life. They are as routine as a broken sidewalk or as the trees' budding leaves outside the window of the Logan Square Boys & Girls Club on Chicago's Northwest Side, where Street SMART is in session. The program is designed to teach young people the skills to resist gangs, violence, crime and delinquency.

"Over 75 percent of the youth in this neighborhood have some kind of gang contact, either directly or through a friend or family member," says John Stephan, director of the Logan Square Club. "It's hard for our kids to avoid gangs, and often they don't even know they're being recruited. Street SMART is participatory, so the kids take an active role in learning and teaching each other. It's a good program because it helps the kids make informed choices."

Street SMART is part of Allstate's commitment to America's Promise, the national initiative to reach the nation's 15 million at-risk youth. The company is enhancing its 40-plus years of support for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America with a savvy, carefully targeted curriculum. Expected to be offered to all 2,000 clubs countrywide by the year 2000, Street SMART classes help young people deal with life-threatening issues in their daily lives and find positive alternatives.

Allstate employee volunteers across the country are active in a wide variety of organizations serving at-risk youth. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America are a prime example.

"These clubs are the preeminent providers of social services for youth in the country, and it makes sense for the business community to support them," says Michael J. Thomas, vice president of property marketing for Allstate and chairman of the program committee for the corporate board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago.

"For many young people I've gotten to know, the clubs are their foundation, the place where they learn important social skills," says Cheryl Chew, senior consultant in Allstate's human resources department and a member of the board of managers for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boys & Girls Club in Chicago. "I don't reach every young person I meet through the clubs, but I always leave feeling I made a difference to someone. I feel very fortunate to work in an environment that allows me to give of my time to children who have fewer chances."

"Sometimes it's hard for parents to tell kids the truth about things like gangs," 11-year-old Cursheena explains after a recent Street SMART session.

"I knew a lot about gangs before I started Street SMART," adds 12-year-old Antonio, "but I've learned some new things like, when they want you in, they'll tell you they'll get you a lot of money and that they'll always back you up. But it's not true. We learned how if you do something they don't like, they give you a violation or beat you up. I found out when you're in a gang, you can't do the things you want to do in life, like sports or college, because they'll take you away from it."

As Tracey, a 15-year-old graduate of last year's program says, "Street SMART lets kids know that a gang never gets you anywhere or anything."

Allstate employees of nearly every job description serve on Boys & Girls Club boards or participate one-on-one with young people in local club activities. Some volunteers do both.

For example, Marketing Product Analyst Sharon Marshall is on the board of managers of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boys & Girls Club of Chicago, working nearly year-round to raise money for the club's operations.

She also spends time at the club on a regular basis.

"I help the kids with their homework, talk to them about their future, show them that I care," Marshall says. "I understand the background of these children, so I can help show them what they can achieve. It's important for them to know regular, hard-working professionals like me, to see that everybody can make a difference.

"When I was growing up, my mother and grandmother told me over and over, 'Success is measured by the lives you touch.' All you have to do is see the kids' faces to keep coming back. It lights up your heart when they run to you and give you hugs. These kids are so smart, with such bright futures. I want to do what I can to make their dreams come true.

"Volunteering doesn't require money. It's about coming forward and saying, 'I care, what can I do to help?'" Marshall says. "Everybody has a passion and gift. Let your gift touch somebody's life."