City Of Las Vegas Named 2018 All-America City Finalist
The City Will Participate In A Competition This June
For the second time in the past three years, the city of Las Vegas was named one of 20 finalists for the 2018 All-America City Award (AAC) by the National Civic League. City representatives and community partners will participate in the All-America City Awards Competition and Event in Denver June 22-24.
The award, which will be given to 10 cities, celebrates and recognizes neighborhoods, villages, town, cities, counties, tribes and regions that engage residents in innovative, inclusive and effective efforts to tackle critical challenges. The 2018 awards focus on inclusive engagement practices that promote equity.
The application concentrated on its commitment to incorporating social equity into its sustainability and livability principles and strategies through its partnerships and programs. It also featured three community-driven projects:
– The Harbor, a juvenile assessment center with a mission to provide a safe place for guidance as well as to be responsive to the well-being of youth, families, victims and the Clark County community by providing meaningful services to youth and their families.
– “Our Stories,” a book by the Westside School Alumni Foundation documenting Las Vegas experiences from a variety of people. This has helped to pave the road for a collaboration working toward significant infrastructure improvements and innovative collective progress for the historic Westside.
– ReInvent Schools Las Vegas, a school district pilot program that partners public and private organizations with individual campuses to offer students more support both within and outside the classroom. The schools address educational equity across the school district and focus on aligning academic achievement, expanded learning, integrated student support and family and community engagement.
The team of Las Vegas representatives will make a 10-minute presentation to a jury of national civic experts in Denver this June; the top 10 cities will receive a 2018 AAC award.
If selected as a winner, which no community in Nevada has achieved yet, the Las Vegas community could benefit in a variety of ways. Previous winners have attracted and retained businesses and residents; seen an increase in tourists and grants; fostered new partnerships within their community; received more national recognition; and, created a new sense of pride, accomplishment and teamwork within their community.
Between now and then, the city will launch a campaign to promote its status as a finalist which will include participation in community events, providing business and organizations with a social media tool kit and more.
