For the second year in a row, the Greater Mankato area was named one of the “100 best communities for young people” by America’s Promise, a national youth advocacy group.
The community can now apply for up to $100,000 in grant money from America’s Promise to invest in local youth programs, said Anna Thill, director of community impact for Greater Mankato Area United Way.
The award was announced Thursday morning at the Mankato YMCA in an event attended by city, county and school district leaders.
Thill said the community’s place on the list shows efforts to create a healthy, safe and nurturing environment for young people are paying off.
“When our youth succeed, we all succeed,” Thill said. Ann Hendricks, chairwoman of the Mankato Area School Board, said a program connecting youth with area businesses was key to staying among the 100 best cities for young people.
The Career Education/ Workforce Development Program brings college and business representatives into district classrooms to talk about employment and post-secondary options. Some high school students also visit area businesses for “workbased learning experiences,” Hendricks added.
“It’s a win-win program,” she said. “We can’t go wrong with this.”
She said more than 300 business and 500 community volunteers were involved in the program last year.
Mankato Mayor John Brady said the recognition from America’s Promise will attract families to area schools and youth programs. With those families come new businesses, Brady added.
“It’s an economic development tool,” he said.
America’s Promise was founded by former Secretary of State and retired Army Gen. Colin Powell as a public-private partnership dedicated to youth issues. Two other Minnesota cities, Rochester and St. Louis Park, were among the 100 best communities for young people this year.
When the Mankato area made the list last year, America’s Promise awarded the community $20,000. That money, plus matching dollars from the cities, counties and school district, was given away in grants to various youth programs.
With a potentially much larger sum coming this year, Thill said it might be better to target one large project or community initiative.
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