Hampton and Newport News Named Two of the
100 Best Communities for Young People

January 25, 2008

Hampton and Newport News have been selected as winners of the third annual national competition to identify the 100 Best Communities for Young People by America's Promise. This is the third year both communities have won this national honor. More than 300 communities in all 50 states applied this year, and winning communities were selected for their commitment to providing healthy, safe, and caring environments for young people.

"Hampton is a national model for youth civic engagement and youth development because we see young people as resources and stakeholders in shaping a better community," said Mayor Ross A. Kearney, II. "We are extremely committed to our youth and value their input on every level. As one of only 42 cities who have won this award every year since its inception, this recognition exemplifies the collaborative efforts of our many vital city and community partnerships."

"The City of Newport News is excited about being named one of America's 100 Best Communities for Young People for the third consecutive year," said Mayor Joe S. Frank. "This award is reflective of our commitment to providing a positive environment for young people in our community and giving them the support and opportunities they need to be successful in school and in life."

This award signifies the contributions of all of the important partnerships between schools, Healthy Families, the Youth Commission, Alternatives, the Coalition for Youth, Parks and Recreation, Health Department, Neighborhood Office and In-SYNC. Great partnerships support the healthy development of young people throughout the first two decades of life. The Healthy Families Partnership joins city leadership and community agencies with public and private organizations (hospitals, restaurants, businesses) to help all families become healthy and live self sufficient. To date, the partnership's work has reduced high risk pregnancies, repeat teen births and cases of child abuse/neglect, as well as increased immunization rates. The Coalition for Youth unites city departments, community agencies, youth, parents, and representatives of business and faith communities to mobilize the community to ensure that all youth have someplace to go, something to do, someone to care, some way to contribute, and hope for the future. In-SYNC Partnerships is a partnership between the school division and local government. The program builds neighborhood based solutions to promote strong schools and youth success. The staff, shared between city and schools, synchronizes services between schools and neighborhoods. Local churches also partner with the schools to host 21st Century Learning sites. Over the past five years, In-SYNC has more than doubled neighborhood-based after-school opportunities and dramatically increased school success. Additional partnerships with the YMCA, the Workforce Investment Board, local businesses, and volunteer groups have created other successful programs such as Thank Goodness It's the Y (workshops for parents on adolescent issues) and Career Café (one-stop job skills and career exploration facility in the mall). Alternatives, Inc. leads efforts to train young people in leadership skills, problem-solving, creativity and other important ways to help youth develop their voice.

Newport News was selected as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People because it has made a long-term commitment to comprehensive, community-based efforts that help children and youth develop their interests, talents, and skills and grow up to be healthy, happy and successful. The City has created The Keeping Our Kids Safe Violence Prevention Network (www.keepingourkidssafe.org) is a community-wide effort to develop and implement an array of strategies that insures a violence-free environment for our children at home, in schools, and in our neighborhoods. In existence for just over a year, the Network has secured $1.3 million dollars in grant awards, launched a Targeted Outreach Program to serve youth at-risk for involvement in delinquent behavior, established a mentoring coalition to enhance mentoring programs, formed an After-school Time Alliance to identify and fill gaps in after-school programs and offers a wide range of parenting classes. Additionally, in a collaborative effort between the Peninsula Council for Workforce Development, local businesses, the school system and the City, a Career Café has been established in Patrick Henry Mall that offers a variety of services including job preparation, employment assistance, internship opportunities, career exploration, GED assistance, and job skills training.

All communities that completed entries in the 100 Best competition were required to submit detailed information on existing 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 the winners, please visit www.americaspromise.org.