5 named as ‘Best Communities for Young People’

Five Massachusetts communities – Barnstable County, Bedford, Brockton, Cambridge and Somerville – have made the list of 100 Best Communities for Young People, which was announced on Sept. 21 by the America’s Promise Alliance.

The recognition is the fourth for Barnstable County and Cambridge, the third for Bedford and Brockton, and the second for Somerville.

The America’s Promise Alliance list recognizes communities that make their youth a priority by implementing programs that help keep children in school and prepare them for college and the 21st century workforce. The competition is open to all cities, towns, counties and school districts.

In addition to enhancing local educational opportunities, most winning communities have taken steps to facilitate improved access to health care for young people, to encourage youth civic engagement, and to supply developmental resources that create better places for young people to live and grow.

“Our 100 Best Communities are taking bold and effective steps to help their young people graduate and lead healthy, productive lives,” said Marguerite Kondracke, the president and CEO of America’s Promise Alliance. “They serve as an example to inspire and educate other communities across the nation to tackle the challenges facing their city and children, and to implement initiatives that give them the essential resources they need to succeed in life.”

The winning communities, from 37 states, were recognized on Sept. 21 during a ceremony in front of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. Each community was designated on a map of the U.S., illustrating the geographic and demographic diversity of the 100 communities. The communities will receive two road signs identifying them as one of 100 Best, as well as a trophy to be presented to local officials later this year.

The competition is one element of the Alliance’s Grad Nation campaign, a 10-year initiative to mobilize all Americans to take action in their communities to end the high school dropout crisis and prepare young people for college and the 21st century workforce. The Alliance is committed to recognizing communities – regardless of size, location or history – that are taking action to help more young people stay in school and graduate on time.

The 100 Best award debuted in 2005. This year, more than 350 communities in 50 states registered online for the distinction.

The list of 100 Best Communities for Young People and their accomplishments can be found at www.americaspromise.org/100Best. For more information about the America’s Promise Alliance, visit www.americaspromise.org.