Politics & Government

Alameda Among '100 Best Cities' for Young People

This is the third time Alameda has made the cut in the competition sponsored by America's Promise Alliance.

Alameda was named as one of the nation's "100 Best Communities for Young People" Wednesday by America's Promise Alliance, according to a press release issued jointly by the City of Alameda, America's Promise and ING, a sponsor of the promgram.

"The national award was given to Alameda to recognize its outstanding and innovative work in addressing the high school dropout crisis and for its programs and services that make it an outstanding place for youth to live, learn and grow," the release said.

Find out what's happening in Alamedawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

From the press release:

"Alameda, a three-time 100 Best winner, makes youth a priority through collaborative programs focused on bullying prevention, improving health and providing safe places.

"Alameda’s Bullying Prevention Initiative hosts community workshops, school assemblies and speech contests to teach local youth how to combat bullying. The initiative also showed films from the national bullying prevention organization Not in Our Town to teach 6,000 local youth about acceptance and respect.

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"Alameda also teaches its youth how to live healthier and prevent obesity through Let’s Move Alameda. This community collaborative creates programs that encourage young people to eat healthier and increase their physical activity.

"To assist young people with discipline issues and prevent repeat offenses, Alameda High School implemented a restorative justice program that works with families and community members to address youth infractions and teach accountability.

"In an effort to provide homeless and at-risk youth and their families with a safer environment, Alameda Point Collaborative assists them in finding housing, job training and recreational activities. The collaborative serves more than 500 people each year, including nearly 300 youth.

“'Being named one of America’s Promise Alliance’s 100 Best is significant and meaningful to the entire community,' said Alameda Mayor Marie Gilmore. 'So many dedicated people and programs contributed to this win and it further reinforces our belief that a focus on youth pays dividends to the entire community.'

“As young people across the country go back to school, it is especially timely to recognize communities like Alameda that have come together to make supporting young people a top priority and that are committed to helping young Americans reach their full potential,” said John Gomperts, America’s Promise Alliance president and CEO. “The 100 Best winners are doing outstanding work delivering the Five Promises that create the conditions for all young people to have the best chance for success. We hope the example set by these communities provides inspiration for others to take action.”

Alameda will receive a $2,500 grant, signage identifying the community as one of the nation’s 100 Best Communities for Young People, and access to America’s Promise Alliance’s community development resources.

"All communities entering the 100 Best competition completed a rigorous application where they provided details on how their existing programs and initiatives help deliver the Five Promises — resources identified by America’s Promise as being critical to the development of healthy, successful children: caring adults; safe places; a healthy start; effective education; and opportunities to help others.

"Applicants also were asked to describe how different sectors of their community work together to help children and families overcome challenges. Most importantly, communities were judged on the strength and innovation of their efforts and programs to help young people graduate from high school prepared for college and the 21st century workforce.

"In its sixth year, the competition experienced its greatest interest to date with nominations from more than 320 communities representing all 50 states, Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Winners were chosen by a distinguished panel of judges that included 2012 National Teacher of the Year Rebecca Mieliwocki, 2012 National Superintendent of the Year Heath Morrison, National Urban League President Marc Morial, and GLSEN Executive Director Eliza Byard.  

"A list of all 2012 winners can be found at AmericasPromise.org/100Best."

 

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