Jan. 24, 2008
Contact: Connie James, Human Services Director, (480) 312-2598
Scottsdale named one of nation's best cities for young people
America’s Promise Alliance, the nation’s largest alliance dedicated to children and youth, in partnership with Capital One, today announced that Scottsdale has been named a winner of its 2008 designation as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People. This program recognizes 100 outstanding communities across America that are the best places for young people to live and grow up. More than 300 communities in all 50 states applied for the honor this year.
Scottsdale was selected as one of the 100 Best for the third year in a row because of its commitment to ensuring its young people have the fundamental resources to succeed. Collaboration is the cornerstone of the Scottsdale community. This collaboration includes the city’s human services, parks and recreation and libraries divisions, and its police department; the Scottsdale Unified School District; Scottsdale Healthcare; local nonprofit organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Scottsdale and Scottsdale Prevention Institute; the Interfaith Network of Scottsdale; and The Arizona Republic newspaper.
Scottsdale’s latest effort to ensure the health and well-being of its youth is to keep them away from drugs through the work of the Northeast Valley Coalition Against Methamphetamine. This collaboration includes five cities and two Native American tribes. A Youth Awareness subcommittee works to achieve a meth-free community. Approximately 30 youth are being recruited to plan anti-meth videos, a meth-awareness day, and a youth town hall dedicated to educating youth and families about issues of this deadly drug.
“The prosperity of every community and this country depends on how well we care for our children and youth,” said Marguerite W. Kondracke, president and CEO, America’s Promise Alliance, “Although no place is perfect, when we have communities that make young people a priority and are working to make sure they stay in school and have all the resources necessary to lead healthy, productive lives, we must recognize them and by extension inspire other cities and towns to follow their lead.”
“We are honored to have captured this title for the third straight year,” said Mayor Mary Manross. “We understand and appreciate that it takes an entire community to ensure the health and well-being of our children. We are grateful to, and share this award with, our partners -- an outstanding school district, an excellent health care system, the many dedicated nonprofit organizations that serve our youth, and certainly the remarkable young people we having living here.”
Competing communities submitted detailed information on existing programs and initiatives that incorporate the “Five Promises,” resources identified by America’s Promise as being critical to the development of healthy, successful children. They are: caring adults; safe places; a healthy start; effective education; and opportunities to help others.
For more details about the 100 Best competition, and to see a complete list of the 2008 winners, visit www.americaspromise.org.
About the America’s Promise Alliance
America’s Promise Alliance is the nation’s leader in forging a strong and effective partnership alliance comprised of corporations, nonprofit organizations, foundations, policymakers, advocacy and faith groups committed to ensuring that children receive the fundamental resources - the Five Promises – they need to lead successful, healthy and productive lives and build a stronger society. Building on the legacy of our founder General Colin Powell, the alliance believes the success of our children is grounded in experiencing the Five Promises - caring adults; safe place; a healthy start; an effective education; and opportunities to help others - at home, in school and in the community. For more information on America’s Promise Alliance visit: www.americaspromise.org.
(Photo courtesy of the Scottsdale Unified School District.)