by Administrator
9. December 2011 10:48
Did you know that Durham has been named one of 100 Best Communities for Young People? This is the third year that Durham has received this honor, celebrated each year by America's Promise and ING as part of the Grad Nation campaign. One hundred communities are recognized through this award, each community touted for “effectively providing youth with the Five Promises and working to increase graduation rates.”
Even better, Durham’s Partnership for Children was one of five programs/organizations highlighted from across the community. Here’s an excerpt from the America’s Promise Alliance Web site, which outlines vibrant community programs that help make our youth more successful:
- Durham’s Partnership for Children, serves youth by spearheading multiple initiatives which have worked to expand health services and improve systems for young children.
- Through collaboration with Durham Public Schools, a comprehensive Transition to Kindergarten Plan was developed. This partnership resulted in further analysis of the Kindergarten Health Assessment forms in order to evaluate the health status of children as they enter kindergarten.
- The Durham Youth Commission is made up of 30 members from each Durham high school that participate in activities including working with the Interfaith Food Shuttle, filling backpacks with food for children and picking up litter in Durham neighborhoods.
- The East Durham Children’s Initiative provides a holistic support system and resources for children and families within a 120 block, poverty-stricken area in Durham.
- To help 11th grade students focus on the 300 most missed words on the SAT, a unique partnership with the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Urban Planet Mobile is helping local students by texting them a Word of the Day including an audio link to definitions Sunday through Thursday nights.
See other 2011 competition winners here.