Highlighting America’s 100 Best Communities for Young People
The 100 Best Communities for Young People competition honors outstanding efforts on behalf of young people by multiple sectors of communities. In cities, suburbs, small towns and counties across the country, this annual competition is leading communities to assess their efforts, work more effectively together for young people, and share best practices. Each week one of the 2007 100 Best Communities will be highlighted in the America’s Promise Bulletin and on our web site.
Chandler, Arizona
By Christopher Epps
Established in the early 1900s, present-day Chandler is a rapidly growing suburb of Phoenix. Due to effects of urban sprawl, the community had to shift to meet the needs of a diverse population. One aspect has remained constant—community planners have included young people as they strategize for the future, weighing young citizens’ needs and suggested solutions as they work towards improving Chandler.
Education and reading are highly valued in the Chandler community and were, at one time, in need of enhancement. As a result, many early literacy programs were birthed. Chandler Regional Hospital now partners with the public libraries to offer Books for Babies, which issues newborns their first library card and a board book. Volunteers with Daycare Delivery, servicing 20 in-home daycares, deliver books to promote reading in children five and under. In addition, thanks to the local Rotary Club, all third-graders are presented with their first dictionary, ensuring they get an early start in learning to love language.
A Healthy Start is important for every child regardless of their families’ financial status. In response to this need, San Marcos Family Resource Center, a school-based, community-linked agency, provides acute-care medical treatment and well-child check-ups for uninsured children from no- and low-income families. Thankfully, local pediatricians and hospital employees donate all medical services so there is no fee for the families.
Noted for its annual Ostrich Festival, there are many other activities occurring in Chandler. Of the activities and programs, a few that led to this community being designated as a two-time winner of 100 Best include:
i-Learn: This is a program for dropout students interested in completing their high school education and earning a diploma. Students participate in computer-based learning at the YMCA in partnership with the school district and Primavera Online High School. A certified teacher is in the open-entry and self-paced classes at all times to facilitate learning. While enrolled in the i-Learn Program, students receive a YMCA facility membership allowing workout time which may count towards a physical education credit.
Improving Chandler Area Neighborhoods (ICAN): ICAN works with teens to effect policy change and establish Chandler as a community that recognizes underage drinking is not only illegal, but unhealthy. ICAN spearheads a Community Coalition on Underage Drinking that involves youth, parents, city council, the state liquor and license bureau, and the governor's office.
Youth Enhancement Program (YEP): YEP is a funding source for the development and operation of programs for Chandler Youth. Funds allocated for YEP are matched by the social services agencies. The YEP involves the collaboration of the entire community including schools, local government, youth and their families and local businesses, who work to fund projects that address prevention, early intervention and positive development.
In the spirit of an Effective Education, Sprinkler's Clubhouse is a fire and life safety show produced by the fire department and local television station. The interactive puppet show targeting youth in grades K through third, features themes supporting the fire department's ongoing public safety outreach efforts. The shows air on Chandler’s channel 11, stream on the Internet, and are shared free on government access channels throughout the state.