Lamoni Named one of America's 100 Best Communities - 3rd Year! | |
Competition Showcases Successful Efforts by U.S.
Cities and Towns to Help Young People Succeed
Lamoni, IA - America's Promise Alliance (the Alliance), the nation's largest alliance dedicated to children and youth, in partnership with Capital One, today announced that Lamoni has once again been named a winner of its 2008 100 Best Communities for Young People (100 Best) competition. The 100 Best competition recognizes the 100 outstanding communities across America - large and small, rural and urban - 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. The 100 winning communities span 37 states.
Lamoni, a two time winner already, was selected again this year as one of 100 Best because of its ability to offer the same opportunities to young people and their families regardless of their educational levels and socio-economic status. The community offers parenting classes, leadership opportunities for all, service learning, and collaborations with multiple organizations and agencies. In response to a major challenge, childhood obesity, Lamoni participated in the Fruit/Vegetable program to make healthy snacks available to all children and drafted plans for a free after-school snack program which focuses on healthy eating habits and snack choices. In addition, Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol works to change policies and public opinion to reduce underage drinking in partnership with the SAFE Coalition.
"The prosperity of every community and this country depends on how well we care for our children and youth," said Marguaerite 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 stat 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."
"At Capital One, we are committed to building stronger communities, one neighborhood at a time," said Carolyn Berkowitz, Vice President of Community Affairs for Capital One. "That's why we're proud to partner with the Alliance on the 100 Best Competition to recognize the tremendous work in communities across the country to create environments where children and families have boundless opportunities as well as the support systems necessary to champion their growth and encourage their success."
Th 100 Best competition was first held in 2005. This years winners were selected by a distinguished panel that included some of the nations most well-known civic, business and nonprofit leaders such as: Gayle Manchin, first lady of West Virginia, United Way President Brian Gallagher, former Mayor of Denver and President of Webb Group International, Wellington Webb, Thomas Donohue, president and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Carol Coletta, president and CEO, CEO's for Cities, Christine James-Brown, president and CEO, the Child Welfare League of America, and Dr. Suzanne Morse, executive director of the Pew Partnership for Civic Change.
According to Lamoni Mayor Jim Hammer, "It's outstanding for us that we've been named for the third year in a row. It reflects well on us that we're very consistent in being a top-notch community."
All communities that completed entries in the 100 Best competition were required to submit detailed information to the Alliance on existing community programs and initiatives that 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; healthy start; effective education; and opportunities to help others; to their young people. Applicants were also asked to describe how different sectors of their community come together to deliver the Five Promises and specific efforts and programs developed to ensure that their young people graduate from high school prepared for college and/or the workforce, Each of these communities, regardless of whether they were selected as a winner, will be eligible to apply for $300,000 in grants from the Alliance next month.
For more details about the 100 Best competition and to see complete list of the 2008 winners, please visit www.americaspromise.org .
from the January 24, 2008 issue of the Lamoni Chronicle
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