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San Mateo County named one of the 100 Best communities

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For Immediate Release Contact: Mary McMillan 650.363.4129 September 26, 2005 mmcmillan@co.sanmateo.ca.us   SAN MATEO COUNTY NAMED ONE OF THE 100 BEST COMMUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE BY AMERICA ’S PROMISE ALLIANCE Redwood City, Calif. - San Mateo County has been identified as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People by America ’s Promise, a national alliance of over 400 national partners including corporations, foundations and youth-serving organizations. The winning communities - ranging from small towns to urban neighborhoods across America - are celebrated for their commitment to provide healthy, safe and caring environments for young people. “I am very pleased that San Mateo County is being recognized for the collective effort of nonprofits, business and the public sector in supporting our youth,” said Supervisor Rich Gordon, President of the Board of Supervisors. “The collaborative and innovative spirit of San Mateo County ’s nonprofit and business leaders with the support of the public sector empowers our community.” Some of the programs highlighted in the County’s application include: Shared Vision 2010 initiative, a community visioning process to define the shared values and future of San Mateo County; the San Mateo County Children’s Health Initiative, ensuring that all San Mateo County children ages 0 through 18 have access to comprehensive health insurance coverage; and collaboration with First 5 San Mateo County to enhance funding for local programs supporting early childhood programs such as Preschool for All. San Mateo County provides enhanced services to youth in foster care and emancipated foster youth due to the commitment of the Board of Supervisors. “I find myself so unique and interesting when I am able to tell people that I was once in foster care and what a great experience it was,” said 19-year old Tamisha Carleson. “I couldn’t be more proud of who I am, and what I have become.” “It is wonderful to see San Mateo County recognized for their efforts in providing healthy, safe and caring environments for young people,” said Michael Scanlon, Chair of United Way of the Bay Area and General Manager and CEO of the San Mateo County Transit District. “United Way of the Bay Area will continue its commitment to help San Mateo County and other Bay Area communities help our nation’s young people succeed in life.” “We have had an amazing response from hundreds of communities, large and small, from Alaska to Florida,” said Marguerite W. Sallee, President and CEO of America’s Promise - The Alliance for Youth. “Our purpose for launching this competition is to appeal to America ’s competitive spirit to encourage communities to become great places to grow up. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, we have seen some inspiring examples of what can happen when communities across the country pull together to help people in times of urgent need. In the 100 Best communities, we have witnessed that same spirit at work in making the well-being of their children an urgent priority. Their outstanding efforts - to measure how well their children and youth are doing, to put more resources in place, and to form cross-sector partnerships - provide shining examples of what it means to keep America ’s Promise for our young people.” “While I am pleased that San Mateo County is being recognized, challenges including youth violence, gangs and childhood obesity lie ahead-challenges we are already beginning to tackle,” said San Mateo County Manager John Maltbie. More troubling than the increase in gang activity is a recent report that there is trend in recruiting youth that lack pro-social activities. Over one-third (34.3%) of San Mateo County ’s 5th, 7th and 9th graders are overweight or obese. Task forces for both gangs and obesity prevention are underway. Congressman Tom Lantos was a key supporter in San Mateo County ’s application. 100 Best Communities for Young People was launched in partnership with Capital One Financial Corporation. America ’s Promise Founding Chairman General Colin Powell launched the competition in May. Based on a lengthy application process, San Mateo County and the other winners were chosen by a distinguished selection panel of civic, business and nonprofit leaders, including United Way of America President Brian Gallagher, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala, baseball great Cal Ripken Jr., and former Denver mayor Wellington Webb. Members of America ’s Promise Alliance - including United Way of America, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Junior Achievement and the YMCA and many others - took leading roles in the 100 Best competition. To honor the 100 Best communities selected, the America ’s Promise Alliance will hold a special event November 2nd in Washington , D.C. This celebration will be dedicated to the children affected by Hurricane Katrina, highlighting outstanding community initiatives across the country that are providing displaced children with the services and support that they need to thrive no matter where they are. All proceeds from this event will go toward helping the children impacted by Katrina.   In addition to San Mateo County , San José from the Bay Area was listed among the 100 Best. A complete list of winners can be found at www.americaspromise.org.