Houston/harrisco Named Best Community For Young Adults?

[editor]

Got this press release in the e-mail last week from Judge Emmett's office:

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Houston/Harris County was selected as one of the winners of the 2008 "100 Best Communities for Young People" competition by the America's Promise Alliance and Capital One. The competition identifies communities nationwide that have made the well-being of children and youth a top priority.

Houston/Harris County was chosen out of nearly 750 participants from more than 300 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico entered in this year's competition. As a 2008 winner, Houston/Harris County is eligible to apply for additional rewards such as $300,000 in grants and a brand new community-built playground valued at $70,000.

"The America's Promise Alliance recognition is a great honor for our community and for those individuals in our area who work hard to make a difference in our young people's lives," said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. "Houston/Harris County also is a three-time winner of the alliance's competition now in its third year. Hopefully, this will help inspire other large communities and demonstrate that the size of a locality really doesn't matter.

This award proves that local governments dedicated to working with community organizations and individuals can make great things happen for their area youth."

The alliance recognized the Houston/Harris County area for creating a tremendous sense of family in a community with more than one million children. Houston/Harris County also was lauded for encouraging and sponsoring youth activities that include marathons and nutrition courses/events to help combat childhood obesity in the area.

The America's Promise Alliance is the nation's leader in forging a strong and effective partnership alliance composed of corporations, nonprofit organizations, foundations, policymakers, advocacy and faith groups committed to ensuring that children receive fundamental resources established by the alliance known as the Five Promises. The Five Promises are caring adults; a safe place; a healthy start; effective education; and opportunities to help others.