U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) today announced that the City of Columbia has been selected by America’s Promise Alliance as one of this year’s 100 Best Communities for YoungPeople based on the city’s unique and effective efforts to ensure young people receive the resources necessary to stay in school and succeed.

Founded in 1997 by General Colin Powell, America’s Promise is the nation’s largest youth-focused alliance, harnessing the power of more than 400 partner organizations to mobilize the nation to end the high school dropout crisis and ensure that more children have access to the “Five Promises” — caring adults, safe places, healthy starts, effective educations and the opportunity to help others.  The 100 Best Communities for Young People competition was created in 2005. Cities across the country are judged by a blue-ribbon panel of judges made up of Alliance partners and national leaders on youth issues.

“It is a proud day for Columbia because this award clearly shows the community’s commitment to youth, and also serves as an inspiration for cities across the country to help our children achieve their full potential,” Luetkemeyer said. “Our young people are our future and clearly Columbia is providing fertile ground for them to succeed both now and in the years ahead.”

Official recognition of the 100 Best Communities for Young People was made today at an awards ceremony on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

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