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.
Scottsdale, Arizona
The warm and sunny desert of Scottsdale, Arizona, is an urban resort community celebrating its youth by offering great opportunities to grow, advance, learn, play and work. This second-year 100 Best Communities winner known as the “West’s Most Western Town,” is home to the Scottsdale Unified School District, the state’s most excelling district. One of the district’s many accolades is the fact that nearly 95% of its students graduate from high school in four years.
As a posh tourist destination comprising rich green golf courses, several spas, and entertainment and cultural events, the tourist industry generates over $3 billion annually; providing the youth with exceptional learning facilities, award-winning parks and recreation programs and a host of other opportunities. The city’s Human Services offers funding and free space to agencies that provide needed services including the Boys & Girls Club, Head Start and Scottsdale Prevention Institute.
Other city initiatives include:
Foster Angels of Arizona Serving Together, Inc . (FAAST): assists foster adolescents and youth adults in achieving academic success thorough mentorship programs and a network of community partnerships that facilitate successful transition to adulthood.
LINKS Community Collaborative: is an alliance of organizations that facilitate discussions with 100 organizations and share valuable information with the community at large. The collaborative includes the Chamber of Commerce, Scottsdale Community College and the school district, among others. Tangible results include a Youth Prevention Plan, Community Resource Directory and an Annual Report Card.
Stay Alive @ 25: is a program that raises awareness with the goal of improving driving behaviors among young people ages 16 to 25. This initiative develops and distributes creative means of educating teens and parents about driving safety.
In addition to the school district hosting Youth Town Halls to stay updated on current youth attitudes and trends, several councils allow the city’s youth to actively participate in decisions relevant to them. These include:
Library Teen Advisory Council: impacts policy and program creation, and was instrumental in developing Knowasis, an innovative Teen Learning Center.
School Site Councils: advises administration on key issues.
Scottsdale Mayor’s Youth Council: participates in review of the city budget.
Scottsdale is a special place encompassing progressive leadership, a commitment to collaboration, and a dedication to enhancing the lives of its residents—more importantly, its youth. With a thriving arts community including more than 125 art galleries, the town prides itself in its western cowboy history. Embracing one of many traditions, the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, a competition of nearly 2000 purebred Arabian and half-Arabian horses, attracts thousands of visitors and tourists annually—providing jobs, over 300 vendors and exhibitions, and more than 25 demonstrations and shows.