August 19, 2020 – Earlier today, the National Civic League announced the winners of the 2020 All-America City Award (AAC). These 10 communities showed how, through civic engagement and collaboration, they can tackle tough issues and create real change despite a myriad of challenges. Each of the winning communities demonstrated civic engagement practices that are inspirational, inclusive and promising in their ability to unite members of the community to collectively and collaboratively help solve our country’s most pressing and complex issues. This year's winners focused on civic engagement practices that enhance health and well-being in local communities.
The AAC finalists each provided a virtual community presentation to the awards jury panel from August 17-19, which then selected the winners. Community presentations included pre-recorded videos, virtual skits, music, spoken word, dancing and heartfelt stories to bring their projects and communities to life. Projects highlighted by the communities ranged from addressing health disparities through community-driven organizations, to meaningfully engaging residents in finding solutions to issues such as homelessness, mental illness, immigration, nutrition and obesity, environmental sustainability, and disease prevention.
The winning communities are:
Algoma, Wisconsin—stays healthy & well through programs such as: Wolf Tech to connect students with local businesses; A Community Wellness Center to offer free & low-cost fitness options; and Wolf Den, a student-led, cross-age mentor program for at-risk youth.
Danville, Virginia—creates a healthy community that everyone can call home by: providing free fitness & nutrition tips through Fit Mobile; managing chronic illness with community health workers; and helping students plan for their future with the Youth Health Equity Leadership Institute.
El Paso, Texas—has come together to shine by: addressing the humanitarian crisis at the US/Mexico border; providing a coordinated community response to mental health emergencies; and achieving “no kill” status at animal shelters.
Franklin Tennessee—has reckoned with its past while preparing for a healthy future by: adding plaques about the city's African American history to the town square; hosting a series of ‘On The Table’ civic conversations; and getting healthy with ‘Get Fit Franklin.
Miami Gardens, Florida—fosters a culture of health and well-being through Live Healthy Miami Gardens and improved parks, trails and other public works.
Muncie, Indiana—is weaving a web of support with cross-generational mentorships, undertaking an immersive student teaching program within the local community and supporting declining neighborhoods with the 8twelve Coalition.
Pitt County, North Carolina—supports all residents by: helping incarcerated individuals through the Reentry Council; providing health care to the underserved through the Community Paramedic Program; and establishing a healthy sustainable food system.
Portsmouth, Ohio—is the comeback city, collaborating to fight the opioid epidemic, transforming spaces to enhance neighborhoods and creatively building community through festivals and record-setting events.
Rancho Cucamonga, California—uplifts its community by breaking stigmas around mental health, taking control of local land, and converting unused spaces into parks designed by residents.
Rochester, New York—improves living conditions through a neighborhood-driven visioning plan, addresses health with the High Blood Pressure Collaborative, and mitigates the school-to-prison pipeline via a Community Task Force on School Climate.
“Congratulations to all winning communities and finalists!” said Doug Linkhart, president of National Civic League. “Each winner leveraged civic engagement, inclusiveness and innovation to successfully address challenges facing their communities. These communities serve as examples to others facing similar issues and provide hope that collaboration among community leaders, elected officials and concerned residents will help communities of all sizes tackle complex issues.”
We are thrilled to announce the All-America City Awards 2021 theme - Building Equitable and Resilient Communities. The application is now available at the National Civic League website.
The National Civic League advances inclusive civic engagement through our community assistance programs, including tools, trainings and facilitation services, our award and recognition programs, and nationally recognized research and publications. We promote efforts that seek to listen to, and to learn from residents in ongoing conversations and leverage those insights to help reshape communities so they will thrive.
The All-America City Award is made possible through the support of Co-Title Sponsors Well Being Trust and Kaiser Permanente, our national health partner, Southwest Airlines, the official airline sponsor, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, CGI Communications, Colorado Health Foundation, ICMA-RC, U.S. Census Bureau, and United Way Worldwide.
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