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.
Coral Springs, Florida
By Christopher Epps
Situated in the southern part of the “Sunshine State,” this rapidly growing city, with a youth population around 30 percent, is proud to be one of 100 Best Communities for Young People. Although Coral Spring is a sprawling city with few tall buildings and colossal structures—the tallest being a 12-story condominium—the local government is working to ensure it residents, specifically its children, ascend to higher heights. Valuing its citizen’s influence and integrating numerous suggestions into the city’s strategic priorities, the city government’s promise to all residents is that Coral Springs will be “the nation’s premier community in which to live, work and raise a family.”
Residents of Coral Springs believe if the entire community works together, only then, will an environment be created enabling children to flourish. When faced with the infamous overcrowding issue, the city transformed an under-used shopping mall into a charter middle and high school. Concerned about its children’s health, residents saw classes formed, including Kid Cuisine and YogaKids, to improve wellness.
Other Coral Springs’ initiatives leading to its selection as a best community include:
Gang Resistance and Drug Education (G.R.A.D.E.):
As a result of concerns for local children’s involvement with gangs, drugs and self-esteem issues, the GRADE program educates fifth grade students on various prevention methods and the negative affects of participating in certain activities. Also, to educate children and school crossing guards on bullying and how to identify problems and resolve issues, Bully Resistance and Victim Education (BRAVE) was created. In 2005, 2,400 elementary students and 3,000 middle-schoolers participated in the program.
Student Advisory Council:
Is a mechanism to cultivate youth leadership. The council meets bi-weekly to discuss community issues and to plan and implement teen events and service projects. The council provides feedback to other young residents concerning the city’s happenings and also solicits input from the residents about city issues. Last year service projects included a youth survey that collected feedback from Coral Springs’ youth for use by the city government and commission in establishing priorities and creating business initiatives; and Business Success Day which taught teens how to enter the workforce, providing lessons on interview skills, job applications, appropriate dress/manners and resume writing.
Youth Services Committee:
Was formed to promote and increase opportunities for young people. This committee brings together community members including representatives from public schools, local universities, businesses, parent groups, the Chamber of Commerce and local government and Parks & Recreation, among others. The committee strives to promote positive recreational outlets, empower youth to pursue city leadership opportunities, develop solutions to problems facing youth and facilitate communication between member organizations.
Coral Springs is a very service-driven community. In 2005, 2,342 high school students volunteered over 226,000 service hours while mentoring seminars provided valuable information to middle school students covering topics such as teen pregnancy, substance abuse, gangs, and decision-making skills. Equally important are the Caring Adults in the young people’s lives. Each year, the PTA’s membership totals an average of 4,300. As the Coral Springs community continues to work together, it will produce results similar to that of the Partners in Education—donations of cash, in-kind goods and volunteer hours valued at $1,187,770 to its schools (in the last four years).