9/26/2005
Media Contact:
Monica Whitfield Brase, [317] 327-3690
Jeff Miller, [317] 252-5900 ext. 202 |
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Indianapolis named one of “100 best communities for young people” by America’s Promise alliance
INDIANAPOLIS - The America’s Promise Alliance today announced that Indianapolis is a winner in a first-ever national competition to identify the 100 Best Communities for Young People. The winning communities - from small towns to urban neighborhoods across America - are being celebrated for their commitment to provide healthy, safe and caring environments for young people.
The selection panel evaluated 100 best entries that required detailed information about each community’s efforts to fulfill five essential promises critical to the well-being of young people: caring adults who are actively involved in their lives; safe places in which to learn and grow; a healthy start toward adulthood; an effective education that builds marketable skills; and opportunities to help others. For the purposes of the competition, "young people" is defined as persons from ages 0 - 21.
Indianapolis is receiving the 100 Best honor, in part, because of their collaborative programs on behalf of children and youth. Evaluators were particularly impressed by the programs that educate young parents and focus on early childhood development. Some of the programs the alliance highlighted include: the Indianapolis Campaign for Healthy Babies; the local Success by 6 early childhood development program; and the Fathers & Families Resource/Research Center, providing parenting education, GED preparation, paternity testing, legal assistance, counseling, and career services to young fathers 16-25 years of age.
The competition application was prepared and submitted by the Mayor’s office and Junior Achievement of Central Indiana, Inc. (JACI).
"We are thrilled to get this award because it reflects the high priority we have placed on serving children both directly and indirectly, and that while we recognize the areas where we need to improve, we are actively seeking solutions and making great progress," said Mayor Peterson. "This is a tremendous honor that is deserved by the many, many organizations we are blessed to have in Indianapolis that work together to serve children and their families."
"For 48 years, JACI has provided Indianapolis youth and families with the fundamental resources articulated by America’s Promise," added Jeff Miller, JACI President and CEO. "Students are exposed to important lessons on financial literacy, civic responsibility, entrepreneurship and the free enterprise system through programs conducted by caring adults committed to offering healthy futures and safe places to learn and grow. On behalf of the many organizations that partner to strengthen the character and competence of Indianapolis youth, JACI is thrilled to have been a part of bringing this important recognition to Indianapolis."
The Alliance also looked at several statistics that measured improvements in Indianapolis and compared Indianapolis’ with national figures. Notable figures, from the Marion County Health Department and the 2004 Kids Count in Indiana data book, included:
- A decrease in the African American infant mortality rate from 25.2 per 1,000 births in 1987 to 15.9 in 2004;
- A decrease in the annual teen birth rate for ages 15-17 from 50.9 in 1996 to 37.1 in 2002;
- On a national level, more Marion County residents have post high school degrees (25.4% vs. 24.4% nationwide);
- On a national level, fewer Indianapolis children, ages birth to 17, are below the federal poverty level (15.9% vs. 16.6% nationwide); and
- More Indianapolis residents have health insurance (86.5% vs. 84.6% nationwide).
America’s Promise founding chairman General Colin Powell launched the competition in May and Indianapolis applied for a place on the prestigious list. Winners were chosen by a panel of civic, business and nonprofit leaders including United Way of America President Brian Gallagher, U. S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue, former U.S. Health and human Services secretary Donna Shalala, baseball great Cal Ripkin Jr. and former Denver Mayor Wellington Web.
The America’s Promise Alliance will hold a special event November 2nd in Washington, D.C. to honor the 100 best communities selected. The celebration will be dedicated to the children affected by Hurricane Katrina, highlighting outstanding community initiatives across the country that are providing displaced children with the services and support they need to thrive no matter where they are. All proceeds from this event will go toward helping the children impacted by Katrina.
America’s Promise is a broad-based alliance whose members work together to ensure the well-being of children and youth. Founded by retired General Colin Powell following the Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future in 1997, where Presidents Bush, Carter, Clinton and Ford, with Nancy Reagan representing President Reagan, challenged the country to make children and youth a national priority. The America’s Promise Alliance includes nonprofit, corporate and community groups as well as individuals across the nation.
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