America’s Promise Announces Best Communities for Youth

One hundred communities were recently recognized as being the “best for young people” in a national competition sponsored by America’s Promise — The Alliance for Youth. NLC is a partner in this cross-sectoral alliance of government, nonprofit, corporate and community organizations focused on the well-being of children and youth.

The 2007 competition showcased cities across the country that have demonstrated innovative efforts to deliver Five Promises deemed essential by the Alliance for young people to succeed: caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, an effective education and opportunities to help others. A complete list of winners and a brief description of local initiatives are available at www.americas

promise.org.

Among the “100 Best Communities for Young People” are 54 NLC member cities (see list in sidebar). In addition, 10 of the selected cities have formally adopted NLC’s City Platform for Strengthening Families and Improving Outcomes for Children and Youth.

NLC and America’s Promise are working in partnership to promote the platform as a framework for local action and to ensure that millions of young people receive the Five Promises.

Nearly 60 cities across the country have formally adopted the platform through a city council resolution, mayoral proclamation or other public announcement.

“Nothing is more important than seeing our children and youth have the resources and support systems they need to thrive and succeed,” said Gen. Colin L. Powell, former secretary of state and founding chairman of America’s Promise. “When a community provides all that its young people need to be healthy and secure, they deserve to be honored and showcased as an outstanding example of what it takes to successfully nurture this nation’s youth.”

More than 750 communities from all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, applied for the 2007 competition.

The winners of the 100 Best competition were selected based on several criteria:

•           Innovative examples of community support for children and youth;

•           Resources that children receive that promote the Five Promises;

•           Youth outcomes such as graduation rates, physical and mental health, and civic engagement;

•           A commitment to engaging partners and individuals from all sectors;

•           Evidence of efforts to raise awareness of young people’s needs; and

•           Use of relevant data to drive action on behalf of children and youth.

Communities chosen among the 100 Best were selected by a panel of civic, business and nonprofit leaders that included Brian Gallagher, president of United Way of America, Tom Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb.

Cities at the Forefront

Municipal officials play a vital leadership role in many of the 100 Best communities. For instance, St. Louis Park, Minn., was selected for the second year in a row in part because of the Meadowbrook Collaborative, a partnership between the city, the school district, Park Nicollet Health Services and the YMCA to serve a disenfranchised multi-housing community of 1,200 people. The collaborative has reduced violent crime by 40 percent, decreased truancy and connected youth to preventative health care and on-site academic enrichment programs.

“The entire St. Louis Park community recognizes that children are truly our future, and the legacy we leave them today will choose the path our city takes tomorrow,” said Mayor Jeff Jacobs.

Several of the cities among the 100 Best are using the NLC Platform for Strengthening Families to build an “essential infrastructure” for sustained progress in meeting the needs of young people and their families. The City of Spartanburg, S.C., was selected as one of the 100 Best in part because of its efforts to include a youth voice in local government through the Spartanburg Youth Council.

The City of Coral Springs, Fla., was recognized for its partnerships with schools and parents to engage 4,000 community members in helping educate children and raising money for schools. Another key factor in the city’s selection was its partnership with the county to connect families with social services, financial assistance resources and job training for teens through a Family Success Center.

“Our city remains extraordinarily committed to our youth and to providing them with numerous opportunities for growth,” said Coral Springs Mayor Scott Brook, a member of NLC’s Council on Youth, Education, and Families.

Details: For a full list of winners and to learn more about the 100 Best Communities for Young People competition, visit www.americaspromise.org. To learn how to adopt the City Platform for Strengthening Families, visit www.nlc.org/iyef/

a_city_platform or contact Michael Karpman of NLC’s Institute for Youth, Education, and Families at (202) 626-3072 or karpman@nlc.org.

NLC member cities that have adopted the City Platform for Strengthening Families >