Five Florida Cities Named Among 100 Best Communities for Young People
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Greenacres, Coral Springs, Plantation, Tampa and St. Petersburg Among Best in Nation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2008
Contact: Sharon Berrian
(850) 222-9684
TALLAHASSEE - Greenacres, Coral Springs, Plantation, Tampa and St. Petersburg have been named winners of America’s Promise Alliance’s 2008 100 Best Communities for Young People competition.
The 100 Best competition recognizes the 100 outstanding communities across America that are the best places for young people to live and grow up. Nearly 750 participants from more than 300 communities in all 50 states applied for the award this year. The 100 winning communities span 37 states.
America’s Promise Alliance was founded by General Colin Powell and is a leader in forging strong and effective partnerships with corporations, communities and other organizations to create diverse, national initiatives aimed at assisting America’s youth to “lead happier, healthier and productive lives…and building a stronger society.”
In an earlier release Marguerite Kondracke, president and CEO, America’s Promise Alliance said the following: “The 100 Best competition is more important than ever because it’s become harder for cities and towns to focus on the needs of their children with all the challenges facing them….These communities rose above and through their actions, remind us that there are cities and towns that are going the extra mile everyday to make sure young people reach their potential.”
“I am so proud of our premier cities who are the recipients of this great honor,” said FLC President Frank C. Ortis, mayor of Pembroke Pines. “Our Florida cities, through its array of services and programs, are committed to building communities where families enjoy a wonderful quality of life and can succeed in all areas of their lives.”
America’s Promise Alliance said that this year’s competition was the most competitive to date, with hundreds of communities submitting applications detailing a variety of innovative and effective programs. All communities that took part in the 2008 competition completed an application based upon research from the National Academies of Science, Search Institute, Academy for Educational Development and Child Trends. Among other things, applicants were also asked to describe how different sectors of their community work together to help children and families overcome challenges and showcase specific efforts and programs developed to ensure their young people graduate form high school prepared for college and/or the workforce.
A complete list of winners and information about America’s Promise Alliance can be found at www.americaspromise.org.
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