On September 12, 2012, Cumming/Forsyth County was once again honored by America’s Promise Alliance, the nations’ largest partnership organization dedicated to youth and children, as one the 100 Best Communities for Young People presented by ING.   The competition, now in its sixth cycle, rewards and recognizes communities making extraordinary efforts to reduce high school dropout rates and providing outstanding services and support for children and youth.

“We are proud and honored to have been included on the list of 100 Best Communities for Young People in the nation.  Cumming and Forsyth County demonstrates on many levels every day that we are committed to making youth in this community a priority.  We collaborate across all sectors including businesses, faith communities, nonprofits, schools and government to ensure we have all the supportive services necessary for children to be healthy, achieve academically and succeed in life”, said Ruth Goode, executive director of United Way of Forsyth County.

Goode worked with Judi Jenkins, the Forsyth County School System’s business and community relations facilitator, to submit written applications for the competition.  Both ladies hoped that the words they put to paper would be enough to convince the very distinguished members of the national selection committee that Forsyth is, once again a winning community.

The 100 Best Communities for Young People honors communities large and small, rural, urban and suburban, that are making young people a priority and helping them reach their potential, which includes earning a high school diploma, securing a good job and playing an active, productive role in America’s economic vitality.  100 Best is a signature initiative of America’s Promise Alliance and is part of its Grad Nation campaign, a large and growing movement of dedicated individuals, organizations and communities working together to end the dropout crisis. 

More than 7,000 students drop out each school day in the U.S., resulting in 1.3 million young people a year.  To help decrease these numbers, the Alliance is more committed than ever to recognizing communities – regardless of size, location or history – that are taking real action to help more young people stay in school and graduate on time.  The goal of Grad Nation is to raise the national high school graduation rate to 90% by 2020, with no school graduating fewer than 80% of its students on time. 

Cumming/Forsyth County was selected for a second time because of the support provided to youth through employment, mentoring, leadership and bullying prevention programs. Both Goode and Jenkins felt the community excelled in all 5 areas of the Promises – caring adults; safe places; a healthy start; an effective education; and opportunities to help others. 

This year, the winners are a diverse group from 42 different states, ranging from small communities like Lamoni, Iowa, to large cities like New York City.  Overall, the state of Georgia had 3 winners – Houston County, Troupe County and Forsyth.  

Americas Promise Alliance was founded by General Colin Powell and is the nation’s largest partnership organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth. 

For a complete list of the winners from the 100 Best Communities for Young People, visit www.americaspromise.org.