News Blog
City of Marina Finalist in "Best Communities for Young People" Contest
October 3, 2011
Marina is getting national recognition for its efforts to create a safe and engaging environment for youth.
America's Promise Alliance, an organization founded by Colin Powell that brings nonprofits, corporations and advocacy groups together to help reduce the high school dropout rate, has named Marina a finalist in its 100 Best Communities for Young People competition. The national contest gives small grants to the top 100 cities and towns to bolster local communities’ initiatives supporting youth.
The city will host a watch party for the official announcement of the winners Oct. 12 from 8:30-10am at the Marina Teen Center on Hillcrest Avenue. From 9-9:30am, America's Promise Alliance staff will name the winning communities at a Washington, D.C. ceremony broadcast live on its website.
Darlena Ridler, the chair of Marina's Recreation and Cultural Services Commission, says Marina's in the running for a $2500 grant that would help the city fund its Friday Night Live program, whose funding was cut from the city's current budget. The program at the Marina Teen Center runs safe and fun activities for the city's most at-risk youth—just the type of programming America's Promise Alliance is looking to spotlight and support.
"We're hoping to use this recognition to go out to the community and ask for matching grants we need to fund a staff person for Friday Night Live," Ridler says. "City staff just don't have the time."
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