One of Ten
By Editor at June 23, 2024 | 2:30 pm | Print
NB Captures All-America City Award
The City of New Britain has once again lived up to its Hard Hittin’ Slogan. After an energizing weekend presentation in Denver, CO by community stakeholders focusing on the city’s accomplishments in raising healthy, successful children, the National Civic League on Sunday designated New Britain a 2016 All-America City.
One of only 10 communities nationwide to be so honored, the prestigious All-America City Award (AAC) celebrates and recognizes neighborhoods, villages, towns, cities, counties, tribes and regions nationwide that engage residents in innovative, inclusive and effective efforts to tackle critical challenges. A team of 11 New Britain stakeholders from the government, business, education and non-profit communities has been preparing for the past month to compete against 19 other AAC finalists, taking off on the theme “New Britain: None Better.”
“This is another major feather in New Britain’s cap and representative of so many wonderful things happening here in our community,” said Mayor Erin Stewart. “This prestigious award validates our hard work and will prove vital moving forward as our community continues working together to open new doors of opportunity for every resident. I want to congratulate the Coalition for New Britain’s Youth and our entire Denver delegation for doing a marvelous job telling New Britain’s story.”
Stewart said there were three items the league was especially concerned about including reducing chronic absenteeism, reduced summer learning experience and how health of children has been targeted including asthma and obesity.
“People are feeling better in the past couple of years about what is happening in this City,” Stewart added. “This is the oldest and most prestigious community recognition award in the nation. Others Cities across the country will look to us and our models.”
“The weekend was energizing and our experience telling the world about New Britain and what we have to offer was just fantastic,” said Robin Lamott Sparks, Executive Director of the Coalition for New Britain’s Youth and director of the delegation. “It is rewarding to know that the world beyond New Britain’s borders appreciates and recognizes the strides we are making. This kind of recognition not only validates our efforts, but gives us that much more incentive to continue our hard work in making New Britain a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.”
“Every educator and staff member of the Consolidated School District of New Britain has much to be proud of today, said Sarra, Superintendent of Schools. “We work hard every day to make our student experience as rewarding as it can be. This validation of our efforts will work wonders in our classrooms and in the living rooms of families throughout the community as we continue to set new standards of excellence in all that we do for our children.”
A jury of nationally recognized business, local government and philanthropic leaders heard New Britain’s presentation at the Sheraton Downtown Denver over the weekend. Under Sparks’ guidance, the New Britain team consisted of Mallory Deprey, Program Coordinator, YWCA of New Britain; Merrill Gay, Chair, New Britain Board of Education Wellness Committee; Dayjah Green, former participant, House of Teens; Jerrell Hargraves, Family Intervention Liaison, New Britain Board of Education and Alderman, City of New Britain; Elaine Riccio, Site Coordinator, Jefferson Family Resource Center; Kristian Rosado, Alderman, City of New Britain; Superintendent Sarra; Kaylah Smith, Program & Scholarship Associate, Community Foundation of Greater New Britain; Tim Stewart, President, Greater New Britain Chamber of Commerce; and Joe Vaverchak, District Supervisor of Attendance/Residency, Consolidated School District of New Britain.
The Coalition for New Britain’s Youth is a citywide group of community stakeholders committed to improving the lives of New Britain’s youth, birth through age 24. The Coalition includes parents, educators, government officials, health and social service agencies and others. Partners use reliable data to develop common strategies, align efforts and evaluate progress toward achieving their shared vision, ensuring the children and youth of New Britain have the skills they need to be successful in life.
