For the second year in a row, Calvert County has been deemed one of the United States of America’s “100 Best Communities for Young People.”
The latest award was presented to county officials Thursday, Nov. 17 at the College of Southern Maryland’s (CSM) Prince Frederick campus. The honor is bestowed nationwide to select communities by America’s Promise Alliance, an organization cofounded by former Secretary of State Colin Powell.
“This is a ‘we’ thing,” said Guffrie Smith, president of the Calvert Collaborative for Children and Youth (CCCY). While Smith acknowledged that CCCY volunteers conducted the exhaustive process of filling out the thick application for the honor, he admitted other entities and individuals provided the input and infrastructure making Calvert a great place for young people to live and thrive.
“I’m extremely proud, this is a very prestigious award,” said Calvert Commissioners’ President Susan Shaw [R]. “The community has had to work together. This is a proud moment for all of our citizens.”
America’s Promise Alliance Senior Director Jordan LaPier stated that more than 300 communities submitted nomination forms and only 29 of the 100 selected are first-time winners. “It’s getting harder and harder to get recognized,” said LaPier.
LaPier indicated the alliance’s selection panel found the presence of CCCY, formerly known as “Calvert Crusade for Children,” to be a big plus along with the county’s services for young people, community service mandates and intervention programs.
“We celebrate the foundation you’ve built,” said LaPier, adding, “it doesn’t mean you don’t have room to improve.”
“It takes a county to raise kids,” said CCCY Director Marie Andrews. She recalled the organization was started after the local League of Women Voters conducted a two-year study on the needs of Calvert’s children. Over the years, the CCCY has collaborated with several agencies, faith-based communities, local businesses and other organizations to address those needs.
Calvert County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jack Smith reported that Calvert appears to be ahead of other
