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.
Greenacres, Florida
By Christopher Epps
With a mission to improve the quality of life for children and providing a continuity of services for children 0-18 years of age and their families, Greenacres, Florida, located in Palm Beach County, is working to mobilize the community.
This small rural, family-oriented city is strengthened by its hard-working, middle-class population. City residents and staff work diligently to instill in the youth respect, civic-mindedness, volunteerism and love.
In the last seven years Greenacres has experienced a dramatic shift in its demographics with an influx of Hispanic and Haitian families. As a result, the city faced a major challenge to offer sufficient low-cost childcare, homework assistance, structured and supervised activities, and positive adult role models to support youth and their working parents. To supply the demand for much-needed services, a community center was constructed, offering latch-key kids after-school care while a percentage of local property taxes are levied to assist Greenacres’ children in reaching their full potential. Years ago, the city also established an affordable, year-round, licensed childcare program for its residents, now serving over 170 elementary and middle school youth daily.
As in any city, each year a budget is adopted delineating the priorities and programs for the community. For the 2007 fiscal year, more than $90,000 was allotted for youth programs including youth athletic leagues, and more than $500,000, in collaboration with the Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County was appropriated for two aftercare programs.
Among several other programs and initiatives, three that helped Greenacres receive recognition as 100 Best Communities for Young People are:
Children's Services Council (CSC):
The CSC was established to improve the lives of children in Palm Beach County. It serves children birth to 18 years of age and pregnant women. On the premise that improving lives requires a combined effort of the family, school, and community partners to have an impact, the council develops, funds and evaluates programs that will achieve its goals of school readiness and early school success, among others.
Hot Spot (high school) & Cool Zone (middle school):
These are two advisory councils for Greenacres’ youth allowing students to be actively involved in program development. Each council consists of a 15-member panel that meets weekly to determine the program’s direction and present feedback and suggestions obtained from their peers to plan and select monthly activities, field trips, community service projects and policy development. The mayor and city council receives bi-weekly status reports on projects and activities.
Prime Time:
This was created to oversee and promote professional development, provide technical assistance and improve after-school quality county-wide. Since its founding, Prime Time has garnered support and momentum among key stakeholders in the community by strategic outreach including convening meetings and forums among providers, parents, educators and donors, vocalizing the need for accessible, affordable, quality after-school programs.
Approximately every five years, the city of Greenacres hosts a two-day “Greenacres American Assembly” to identify goals for the upcoming years. In 2002, more than 60 community leaders and residents attended, helping the city identify several goals for the youth in the community. Accomplishing a record 80 percent of the identified goals to date, the city is working to achieve and exceed all goals and implement those established for 2007.