Aurora has been named one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People, a national competition run by America’s Promise Alliance, a program started in 1997 by Gen. Colin Powell to encourage more kids to graduate from high school.
“We were just really excited,” said Shawn Williams, supervisor of the Office of Youth Development in Aurora. “In these times when it feels like so many of us are struggling to find funding for our programs, and so many things have been cut, it’s great to look at what we’ve been able to accomplish.”
Their path to success started in 2008, when the City Council adopted the goal of ensuring that “every child and young person in Aurora will have access to the fundamental resources she or he needs to succeed,” and then appointed the Office of Youth Development to lead that effort.
In making the award, the alliance stressed the importance of Aurora’s collaborative approach, which stems from its bi-monthly community meetings and small “action teams” that translate visions into reality.
This has resulted in such programs as Aurora Youth Options, which uses an extensive risk and resiliency assessment to link at-risk kids with whatever services they might need, from mental health to after-school programs.
Free preschool programs for more than 1,300 children are provided through a collaboration of Aurora Public Schools, the city and eight other community partners.
A grant-funded program called COMPASS offers free and low-cost after-school academic and enrichment programs through a partnership between the city’s Office of Youth Development, Aurora Public Schools and a dozen nonprofit organizations.
Other collaborative programs include Downtown Aurora Visual Arts, which supports kids through arts programs at its studio in north Aurora, and a “mobile playground” run by the city visits five low-income housing complexes after school and in the summer.
“This has put Aurora on the map,” said Williams.
“It’s about recognizing what everyone has been able to accomplish and motivating everyone to move forward and keep working for our youth.”
Colleen O’Connor: 303-954-1083 or coconnor@denverpost.com
Parent information session
The first America’s Promise Parent Institute in Aurora will be held on Thursday at the Aurora Central Library.
The goal is to inform parents about requirements for high school graduation and opportunities for college education.
The free event starts at 6 p.m. in the Community Room at Aurora Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda Parkway. For more information, call 303-326-8706.
