America's Promise Invites Communities Across Country To Come Together For Children And Youth

Last year, America's Promise-The Alliance for Youth and Founding Chairman Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) launched the first-ever competition to identify the 100 Best Communities for Young People. The goal: to identify counties, cities and towns working to make their communities great places for young people to grow up. Over 1,000 communities took part in the inaugural competition and winners were named from 40 states.

To continue to build upon the success of the competition, America's Promise is conducting a series of five regional 100 Best Forums to provide communities with an opportunity to share how they provide healthy, safe and caring environments that effectively educate young people and help them become productive citizens.

The forums will uncover, recognize and promote best practices by nonprofits, businesses, government, policymakers, educators, and youth and civic leaders. The sessions will also encourage collaboration within communities to see that all young people receive the Five Promises essential to success: caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, an effective education and opportunities to help others. Participants will also be told how their communities can take part in the next 100 Best Communities for Young People competition, slated to begin Fall 2006.

State Farm will serve as the title sponsor for the forums, with additional support provided by the Ford Motor Company Fund and New Century Financial Corporation.

Every community across the country is invited to take part in one of the forums to be held:

• June 8-9, 2006, in Long Beach, California;

• July 27-28, 2006, in Providence, Rhode Island;

• September 14-15, 2006, in Charlotte, North Carolina;

• September 28-29, 2006, in Indianapolis, Indiana; and

• October 12-13, 2006, in Denver, Colorado.

In addition to the exciting sessions and workshops, all forum participants will receive a continental breakfast and lunch each day, and attend an evening reception.