LR again named one of best communities for young people

By ArkansasOnline Press Services

Little Rock has again been named as one of the 100 best communities for young people by a group that centers on childrens' issues.

America's Promise Alliance (the Alliance), the nation's largest alliance dedicated to children and youth, in partnership with Capital One, announced Thursday that Little Rock 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.

"I am pleased that, for the third straight year, the America's Promise Alliance has recognized Little Rock's efforts in regards to young people," said Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola from Washington, where he is to receive the award. "From the City's PIT funding and Parks and Recreation programming to the outreach efforts of the School District to the many after-school and summer programs, Little Rock is committed to changing the lives of young people and providing them positive opportunities."

Little Rock was named one of the 100 Best communities in part because of the city's efforts to help its youth overcome challenges and succeed. One example is the Youth Employment and Internship Program where 400 city youth ages 16-21 are hired as city employees and receive career exploration opportunities and job skills training. The program is administered by ten young people hired as Mentors. The Future Smiles Dental Clinic is a successful program working to ensure that low-income children receive proper dental care. Coordinated by Children International at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in partnership with 13 organizations the dental clinic provides annual dental screenings, sealants, and oral health education to 2,400 elementary students.

"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."

The 100 Best competition was first held in 2005. This year's winners were selected by a distinguished panel that included some of the nation's 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, CEOs 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.

"As I noted in my State of the City Address," Stodola said, "the focus we place on young people is what sets us apart as a city and is one of the key reasons people will want to come here. "