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Solano again earns honor for youth programs
FAIRFIELD — It’s an honor for Solano County that’s almost routine.
America’s Promise Alliance has, for the sixth consecutive year, named Solano County among its 100 Best Communities for Young People. No other California community has such a streak. Only 19 communities have nationwide.
In fact, Solano County couldn’t do any better. It is a charter member of the 100 Best Communities list, having gotten the honor every time it has been available — 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and now 2012.
“Being named one of the 100 best is significant and meaningful to the entire Solano County community,” county Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Linda Seifert said in a press release.
She called it a tribute to the county’s dedicated people and youth programs. She said the community has an unwavering belief that focusing on youth benefits the entire community.
Eight California communities made the America’s Promise Alliance list this year. Besides Solano County, they are Sacramento County, Windsor School District and the cities of Alameda, Chino, Chino Hills, Indio and Marina.
America’s Promise Alliance has its roots in the 1997 President’s Summit for America’s Future. Then-President Bill Clinton and former Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush agreed that children and youth should be a national priority. Gen. Colin Powell is among the organization’s founders.
More than 320 communities sent in applications to compete for the Top 100 honors this year. Judges included 2012 National Teacher of the Year Rebecca Mieliwocki and National Urban League President Marc Morial.
Solano County on its application highlighted such programs as:
- Safe Routes to School, which encourages children to bike and walk to school by removing impediments.
- BabyFirst Solano and Partnership for Early Access for Kids, which offer free or low-cost prenatal care and early childhood programs.
- Youth Initiating Professional Preparedness in Employment, or YIPPIE. The nonprofit group gives teens job training and is opening a yogurt shop on West Texas Street in Fairfield to help with this goal.
“The 100 Best winners showcase a wide range of successful multisector approaches to improving the lives of youth,” America’s Promise Alliance President John Gomperts said in a press release.
Reach Barry Eberling at 427-6929, or beberling@dailyrepublic.net. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/beberlingdr.
Barry Eberling
Discussion | 2 comments
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More promotion of governmentSeptember 14, 2012 - 6:57 am
So solano is great for kids huh? Tell that to Matt Garcia! You journalists cant put 2 and 2 together nor can you remember what happened yesterday.
Reply |Allan ShoreSeptember 14, 2012 - 10:14 am
Nice write-up. Having been involved in a number of the efforts to help develop early childhood education, child care, preschool and even professional development activities, I'm pleased that Solano and programs like Solano First 5, the Solano County Office of Education and a number of agencies are working (or should I stay struggling?) to keep the community out front. I was pleased when Murray Bass wrote about some of the work to move toward using social media as well, but the biggest part is the heart of those who care!! Cool, cool. By the way, you can see Murray's piece at http://www.dailyrepublic.com/projects/the-other-side-of-50/turning-social-media-over-to-professional/. Thanks again.
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