SSW Alumna Instrumental in Stoughton Being Named One of 100 Best Communities for Young People

Thanks to the submission of an application by Caitlin Thomas-Henkel, a 2005 graduate of the School’s off-campus program in southeastern Massachusetts, the city of Stoughton, Massachusetts has been named one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People by America’s Promise: The Alliance for Youth. Caitlin is a clinical social worker who coordinates a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Drug Free Communities Grant at the Stoughton Youth Commission.

According to America’s Promise web site, Stoughton was selected “because the city created a specific plan last year around school readiness, academic achievement and dropout prevention. Stoughton’s school superintendent has created an early warning system for parents and is working on comprehensive strategies for drop out prevention and recovery. After-school clubs and homework assistance programs are also available to students in need of additional support. In addition to the school and youth commission, the local Stoughton businesses and a junior college have established a mentoring internship program for students to learn skills and have a better understanding of the workplace.”

America’s Promise explains that “The 100 Best Communities for Young People competition honors outstanding efforts on behalf of young people by multiple sectors of communities. In cities, suburbs, small towns and counties across the country, this annual competition is leading communities to assess their efforts, work more effectively together for young people, and share best practices.”