Benton County Again Named One of 100 Best Communities for Young People

(CORVALLIS) - America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth has announced that Benton County is a winner of a national competition to identify the 100 Best Communities for Young People.

The 100 Best competition honors communities - ranging from small towns to urban neighborhoods across America - for their commitment to provide healthy, safe and caring environments for young people.

Hundreds of communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands took part in the competition.

Benton County is one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People, in part, because it has a strong community collaboration called Healthy Start that offers support services to all new parents.

The public-private partnership between Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Old Mill Center For Children and Families, Parent Enhancement Program, Benton County Health Department, Commission on Children and Families, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education, Corvallis Clinic, Retired Volunteer Seniors Program, Department of Human Services/Child Welfare - Adult and Family Services and Linn-Benton Community College.

Because of the alliance, Benton County continues to have the lowest number of abused and neglected children in Oregon.

"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."

Benton County and the City of Tigard are the only two Oregon communities selected by America's Promise.

100 Best Communities for Young People was first launched in 2005 by General Powell.

Other members of America's Promise Alliance - including United Way of America, U.S. Conference of Mayors, Big Brothers Big Sisters, National Association of Counties and the American Association of School Administrators and many others - took leading roles in encouraging communities to compete in the 100 Best competition.

"We are proud Benton County has been twice recognized by America's Promise for our commitment to young people. Benton County residents have proven their willingness to act on their belief of valuing all young people," said Commissioner Annabelle Jaramillo.

Benton County was selected by America's Promise in 2005 for the same recognition.

"Benton County is a prime example of the Oregon Way of life. The 100 Best Communities for Young People Award is a well-deserved recognition of the outstanding work the community has put forth to keep children safe and to provide the best possible start in the life of young people," said Congresswoman Darlene Hooley.

Aaron Lande, an aide to Congresswoman Darlene Hooley, accepted the award on behalf of Benton County at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The selection panel evaluated 100 Best entries that 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.