by Michael Karpman

One hundred communities were recently named ?best for young people? by the America?s Promise Alliance. The national competition highlighted innovative local efforts to provide safe, healthy and caring environments for America?s youth.

Among the winners are 59 NLC member cities from 30 states.

The winners list reflects a diverse group of rural, suburban and urban communities from 40 states, ranging from populations of 850 to over 2 million. A complete list of winners can be found on America?s Promise website at www.americaspromise.org.

Competition Goals
The goals of the competition were to:

? Recognize local communities for their innovative and successful work.

? Help communities share their ideas and learn from each other.

? Build community support that fosters long-term success for local initiatives.

? Establish a vision for what all communities in America can and should be doing to support and nurture their young people.

Examples
?I am proud of the partnerships we have developed to create innovative approaches to address the challenges facing the children and youth in our community,? said Shawn Larsen, mayor of Rexburg, Idaho, which was selected jointly with Madison County, Idaho, for the 100 Best list. 

Among the creative examples of local efforts to focus on young people was the Lights On Afterschool Initiative in Denver, Colo., a partnership helping sustain and expand quality, school-based afterschool programs. 

Rock Hill, S.C., was chosen in part due to its First Steps Program, a successful early childhood development program. 

And Harrisburg, Pa., won recognition for providing support services to children from birth through higher education, which include its on-site elementary school health centers, dental services for children from low-income families and free inoculation programs.

?Over the past decade, Little Rock has worked hard to implement innovative approaches to positively engage the youth of our community,? said Little Rock Mayor Jim Dailey.

Little Rock was included in the 100 Best for its ongoing investment in programs for at-risk youth. 

Selection Criteria
The criteria for selecting the 100 best communities involved community support of children and youth, children and youth outcomes and resources children and youth receive.

Evaluation of the criteria was based upon detailed information provided in the applications about each community?s efforts to fulfill five essential promises critical to the well-being of young people:

? Caring adults who are actively involved in their lives.

? Safe places in which to learn and grow.

? A healthy start toward adulthood.

? An effective education that builds marketable skills.

? Opportunities to help others through community service. 

Other important factors in determining the ?100 Best? included community innovations in the areas of policy, practice and resources, plans for the coming year and communities? progress to date. The list also ensures adequate representation by region, population density and size, ethnicity rates and poverty rates.

?We have had an amazing response from hundreds of communities, large and small, from Alaska to Florida,? said Marguerite W. Sallee, president and CEO of America?s Promise.  ?This isn?t about communities that are perfect today. It?s about change and aspirations. And making sure all our kids can reach the American Dream.?

Details: America?s Promise is a broad-based alliance ? founded by retired General Colin L. Powell ? whose nonprofit, corporate, community and individual members work together to ensure the well-being of children and youth.
For more information and examples from each winning community, visit www.americaspromise.org.

NLC Members in the 100 Best Communities
Albuquerque, N.M.
Anchorage, Alaska
Austin, Tex.
Baltimore, Md.
Bellevue, Wash.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Caldwell, Idaho
Cambridge, Mass.
Chandler, Ariz.
Charleston, S.C.
Charlotte, N.C.
Columbus, Ohio
Coral Springs, Fla.
Denver, Colo.
Des Moines, Iowa
Evansville, Ind.
Fort Collins, Colo.
Grand Forks, N.D.
Hampton, Va.
Harrisburg, Pa.
Houston, Tex.
Indianapolis, Ind.
Irvine, Calif.
Jacksonville, Fla.
Kansas City (greater), Kan.
Kansas City (greater), Mo.
Lawrence and Douglas County, Kan.
Lexington, Ky.
Little Rock, Ark.
Long Beach, Calif.
Louisville, Ky.
Loveland, Colo.
Manchester, N.H.
Mankato, Minn.
Memphis, Tenn.
Mt. Sterling, Ky.
Nampa, Idaho
Nashville, Tenn.
Newport News, Va.
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Rexburg and Madison County, Idaho
Rochester and Olmsted County, Minn.
Rock Hill, S.C.
Salina, Kan.
Salisbury and Wicomico
County, Md.
San Jose, Calif.
Scottsdale, Ariz.
South Windsor, Conn.
Spokane, Wash.
Springfield and Greene County, Mo.
St. Louis, Mo.
St. Louis Park, Minn.
St. Petersburg, Fla.
Sugar Land, Texas
Sylacauga, Ala.
Tempe, Ariz.
Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, Va.
Waterville, Maine