Somerville last month nabbed a top spot in a nation-wide competition seeking the best neighborhoods for youth.
The 100 Best Communities for Young People list, sponsored by financial institution ING, is designed to recognize communities that concentrate on the future of youth by decreasing high school dropout rates and preparing youth for college and the workforce.
This marks the second time that Somerville came out as one of the nation's "100 Best." The city also earned the distinction in 2008, according to Somerville Superintendent of Schools Tony Pierantozzi.
America's Promise Alliance, a nation-wide partnership organization of businesses and non-profits aimed at improving youths' lives, spearheaded the competition. The group received more than 350 community nominations from across the nation. The winning communities demonstrated efforts to improve educational opportunities for youth and implemented initiatives focused on youth health care and civic engagement.
Somerville spokesperson Jaclyn Rossetti said the city's second recognition in the competition reflects its achievements in creating youth programming.
"It's really just a support of the fact that so many community partners are working with the city and the public schools to make programs for youth of all ages," Rossetti told the Daily. She highlighted the arts, library programs, education and the childhood obesity program Shape Up Somerville as such examples.
Winners of the competition included communities in 37 states, 30 of which were first-time recipients. Somerville was one of five communities in Massachusetts that won a spot on the list. The other four Massachusetts winners were Barnstable County, Bedford, Brockton and Cambridge.
Each community was asked to complete an application over a 3-month period that detailed the community's actions in targeting problems affecting youth, according to Jordan LaPier, senior director of 100 Best Communities for Young People.
"Somerville was chosen as one of the ‘100 Best Communities' because of its ability to address its unique challenge of a densely populated community by bringing the Somerville community together to address problems that face their youth, such as substance abuse and high school dropouts," LaPier told the Daily.
Rossetti emphasized collaboration among community members and organizations as a key factor that helped Somerville achieve the award.
"The biggest thing is the collaboration between the city and the schools and our businesses and community partners," Rossetti said.
Pierantozzi was pleased by Somerville's second distinction on the list.
"The educational faculty, as well as many municipal offices, such as the police and fire stations, continually support our youth, from sponsoring programs on drug prevention and healthy living choices to college scholarships," Pierantozzi told the Daily. "The national recognition as a ‘100 Best' further highlights the successful work Somerville has done to achieve a community collaboration to aid youth."
The communities were honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 21, during which they received two honorary road signs and a trophy.
Nina Ford contributed reporting to this article.
