Promise Career Institute Students Light Up Lives One Smile at a Time
It is almost unbelievable how powerful one idea can be, but at the Promise Career Institute (PCI), it took just a flame of kindness to spark a wave of meaningful volunteerism. Through the Promise Keepers initiative, over two dozen PCI students put their leadership skills into action by supporting patients and families at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA).
The initiative originated with PCI students who were selected to participate in the 2024-2025 Chick-fil-A Leader Academy (CFALA). They completed intensive leadership training focused on the unique “engage, expose, equip” methodology. Drawing on those lessons, the young leaders collaborated and created Promise Keepers. For their end-of-year impact project, PCI Professional Assistant II Keteria Franks-Smith introduced the idea of choosing CHOA as their inspiration for making a difference.
“The moment she mentioned it, the room lit up with excitement,” PCI teacher and mentor Angel Davis said. “The idea truly came to life when one of our own CFALA students courageously shared her personal story as a former Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta patient. Her heartfelt experience highlighted the profound difference it makes in the lives of children and their families.”
What began as a small idea quickly swelled into a wave of planning, strategizing, and fundraising. Ultimately, their passion paid off, and the PCI students secured enough funding and support to move into their next phase. They collected donations including art supplies, games, and comfort items for more than 100 patients and their families.
“These items help create a ‘home away from home’ environment, allowing children to engage in activities like playing games, journaling, coloring, or sharing stories,” Davis shared. “This interaction fosters a sense of normalcy and helps alleviate the fear and anxiety that children may experience due to their health conditions.”
Once the donations were handed over to CHOA, their staff jumped into action to ensure the items were properly sorted and made their way to the young warriors who needed them most.
“These resources help ease the stress, fear, and isolation that often accompany long-term hospital stays, giving children the chance to express themselves creatively, bond with siblings, and simply enjoy being kids,” Davis stated.
PCI’s Promise Keepers also supports CHOA’s Canine for Kids program, which brings trained therapy dogs to the hospital. Their uplifting presence has an adorable way of making the patients’ experiences seem a little less scary. To generate donations, PCI students got the community involved during a spirit night fundraising event at the Chick-fil-A on Camp Creek Parkway. They collected dog treats, toys, leashes, and other essential items for one of the beloved canines, Reggie.
“By contributing to this initiative, we can ensure that more children and their families receive the emotional and psychological support they need during difficult times, ultimately enhancing their overall well-being,” Davis said.
Davis says she would like to see the project spread across the county to unite all schools behind a meaningful cause and expand the PCI Promise Keepers’ impact. Before then, she says the group will focus on a new mission this fall -- to share the gift of literacy.
“As part of a nationwide initiative, our CFALA students will help distribute one million books to children in their local communities,” Davis revealed. “It’s a powerful way to inspire young minds and promote a lifelong love of reading.”
By creating moments of joy and human connection, Davis believes PCI will continue improving the world one smile at a time.
PCI Principal Yalanda Bell agrees, “The initiative and partnership with the Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy is a shining example of what happens when student leadership meets compassion. At Promise Career Institute, our students didn’t just learn about service—they live it, creating real impact for families at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. I couldn’t be prouder of how they turned empathy into action.”