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City of Milford
Contact: James L. Richetelli, Jr.
Mayor, City of Milford
City Hall
110 River Street
Milford, CT 06040
Phone 203 783-3201
Contact: Danielle Dumont
Phone: 203 720-7125 Daytime
203 490-9160 Cell
For Immediate Release
Press Release
America’s Promise Alliance Names Milford One of 100 Best Communities for Young People
In Partnership with Capital One, Competition Recognizes Outstanding, Innovative Efforts That Benefit Children and Youth
Milford, CT, January 25, 2007: America’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth is pleased to announce that Milford has once again been named one of the 100 Best Communities in America for Young People. Milford is the only community in Connecticut to win this prestigious award two years in a row. In partnership with Capital One, the 100 Best competition honors communities across America for their commitment to providing healthy, safe and caring environments for young people. “When I was notified that Milford won the 100 Best honor once again this year, I was just elated”, commented Mayor James L.
Richetelli, Jr. “What a tremendous, awesome honor to be recognized by a national organization for our community efforts to youth. We strive to make youth a priority in Milford and this recognition bolsters our drive to continue to make Milford even better.” Hundreds of communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands took part in this competition.
Milford was named one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People, in part, because of its emphasis on teaching “life skills” to all youth. Each high school has a "life skills" program to prepare students for "the real-world". Junior Achievement offers a career development program in many of the schools partially funded by Milford’s Promise, the United Way, Rotary Club, and local businesses as well as our state legislative delegation. These programs are based on life-skills such as understanding your community, successful resume writing and interviewing skills. The YMCA and Milford’s Promise have also implemented after-school programs based on the principles of team building and respect, skills that are integral
to future success. Milford was also recognized for its growing Youth Network, which fosters communication and partnerships among the youth servicing agencies in Milford. “There are many reasons why Milford is great, but the number one reason is the people who live here,” commented Joel Baldwin, President of the Milford Youth Network. The Youth Network meets the first Wednesday of every month at noon in conference room A at the Parsons Complex. All youth related agencies are welcome and encouraged to attend.
“Nothing is more important than seeing that our children and youth have the resources and support systems they need to thrive and succeed,” said America’s Promise Founding Chairman General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.). “When a community provides all that its young people need to be healthy and secure, they deserve to be honored and showcased as an outstanding example of what it takes to successfully nurture this nation’s young people.”
A distinguished selection panel consisting of civic, business and non-profit leaders in Washington D.C. evaluated 100 Best entries to determine the winners. The application required detailed information about each community’s efforts to fulfill the Five Promises – the fundamental resources our children and youth need to succeed: caring adults who are actively involved in their lives; safe places in which to learn and grow; a healthy start toward adulthood; an effective education that builds marketable skills; and opportunities to help others. Milford’s Promise was the catalyst in compiling and submitting this application once again this year. “As I was compiling the information I was consistently impressed with the cross sector
passion and commitment to youth in Milford”, commented Milford Promise Executive Director, Danielle Dumont. “Every youth servicing organization in Milford owns a piece of this award. Without the many wonderful collaborations and partnerships throughout the community this honor would not be possible,” added, Milford Promise President, Joan Politi.
Gary Johnson, President of the Milford United Way added, “To receive this prestigious award for the second year in a row simply reaffirms Milford’s commitment to nurturing our children. We are certainly on the national map now as far as the commitments we make and the impact we have on our youngest citizens.” The United Way funds many of the youth servicing agencies in Milford. Without their ongoing support, many of our youth programs might not exist.
"Capital One believes that every family should have the opportunity to provide for their children in ways that ensure future success," said Capital One President of Global Financial Services and America’s Promise board member Larry Klane, a member of the 2007 selection panel. "Through the 100 Best competition, we can recognize communities that foster the type of environment where children and families have opportunities and resources to realize their full potential."
There will be a short recognition ceremony for all youth servicing agencies that made this honor possible on Monday, February 5 at 7:30 pm prior to the Board of Aldermen meeting. Invitations will be e-mailed. Also, watch for additional celebrations to be held in the community over the course of the year.
About America’s Promise
Founded by retired General Colin L. Powell, the America’s Promise Alliance is the nation’s largest private-public partnership committed to ensuring that every child receives the five fundamental resources – the Five Promises - essential for success: caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, an effective education and opportunities to help others.
Alma J. Powell currently serves as chair. Marguerite W. Kondracke serves as president and chief executive officer. Among the founding partners are the Corporation for National and Community Service, Points of Light Foundation, The United Way of America, Communities In Schools and MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership.
America's Promise grew out of the Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future in 1997, where Presidents Bush, Carter, Clinton and Ford, with Nancy Reagan representing President Reagan, challenged the country to make children and youth a national priority. President George W. Bush affirmed his commitment in 2001.
About Capital One
Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company, with more than 324 locations in Texas and Louisiana. Its principal subsidiaries, Capital One Bank, Capital One, F.S.B., Capital One Auto Finance, Inc., and Capital One, N.A., offer a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients. Capital One's subsidiaries collectively had $47.2 billion in deposits and $108.4 billion in managed loans outstanding as of June 30, 2006. Capital One, a Fortune 500 company, trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "COF" and is included in the S&P 500 index.
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