had fulfilled their pact, but their allegiance to one another was about to give rise to a new dream. One year later in April 2000, with $1,000 earned at speaking engagements, they cofounded the Three Doctors Foundation. laugh. They considered starting community clinics or fund- profit organization that would infuse the principles of their pact into the community. Within the framework of the foun- dation, they could build programs that would help disad- vantaged youth value their own worth and academic poten- tial, set a high bar for their future, develop a strategy, and work with mentors to meet or surpass their goals. scends financial, racial, and social lines," says Dr. Davis. "We've received mail from impoverished kids in Mississippi and wealthy kids from Short Hills." But primarily, they have focused on youth growing up in the urban core, facing the same challenges they faced: absent fathers, poverty, arrests in their teens, and a street- and peer-centered value system that discouraged--at best--professional ambitions. and community service groups that reinforce its goals. Notably, the organization is entirely staffed by volunteers, including Windy White, who has served as its executive out the year reflect the principles of the three doctors' original pact. The Positive Peer Pressure Challenge recognizes and rewards outstanding young people focused on health, leadership, education, or mentoring. Past winners have been recognized for organizing study groups, antidrug activities, and walkathons. University, includes a 10-lap walk, as well as a full day of family activities. Mentor Day annually pairs students with a career professional. At roundtable discussions, students learn from professionals including engineers, physicians and nurses, architects, journalists, and small-business entrepre- neurs. "You can't be inspired by what you can't see," says Dr. Davis. tate area to come visit the college campus. They need to see that it's not the way other kids told them: `You can't keep up. You won't fit in. You'd have to change once you get there. You can't afford it. You'll end up back here anyway.' We take the fear away and push them along, the way we pushed each other." C L D R E K T E S Y O W N W T E |