Register now to participate in the 100 Best Communities for Young People
2/28/2010
America’s Promise Alliance and the ING Foundation are now seeking entries for the 2010 100 Best Communities for Young People (100 Best) competition. The Alliance and the ING Foundation seek to recognize 100 American cities and towns whose top priority is keeping children in school and helping end the nation’s dropout crisis through innovative programs that are addressing everyday challenges facing young people and creating better places for them to live and grow.
Interested communities can apply March 1 - June 1 at www.americaspromise.org/100best. The theme for this year’s competition is ‘Get on the Map,’ as the winners will be recognized in September at a Washington, D.C. ceremony marking each winning community on the U.S. map. Winners will also receive two road signs designating the community as one of the 100 Best, logistical and financial support for a local celebration, as well as national publicity.
“A 100 Best community is one that is working together and taking real action to develop confident, resilient young people ready for college and the 21st century workforce,” said Marguerite W. Kondracke, president and CEO of America’s Promise Alliance. “This competition is an opportunity to nationally recognize and reward commitment to young people and offer these cities and towns as an example for the rest of the country.”
First held in 2005, 100 Best honors progress being made to help young people achieve their potential, which includes earning a diploma, getting a good job, and playing an active, productive role in America’s economic vitality.
“ING shares the Alliance’s passion to invest in the development and future of America’s young people,” said Rhonda Mims, president of the ING Foundation and senior vice president of ING’s Office of Corporate Responsibility and Multicultural Affairs. “We encourage every community across the U.S. to strive for 100 Best distinction, take meaningful steps to reduce local dropout rates and help open new doors for neighborhood youth.”
The ING Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in communities where ING operates and its employees and customers live. Through charitable giving and employee volunteerism, the foundation focuses on programs in the areas of financial literacy, children’s education, diversity, and environmental sustainability. For more information, visit www.ing-usafoundation.com.
The competition also facilitates the sharing of best practices among communities nationwide regarding education, access to health care, reading score improvement, youth service, pre-school enrollment and more.
Community representatives are encouraged to log on and download the application early in order to gather the resources and information necessary to enter. Technical support conference calls and Webinars are regularly scheduled to answer questions and clarify the nomination process. Additional information can be found at www.americaspromise.org/100best and or contact the support team at 100BestHelp@americaspromise.org with questions.