Strength in numbers. When we work together, we're stronger. Better. YorkCounts began as a community-wide effort to define York County's quality of life in an objective and measurable way. It provided a framework for bringing the community together to set and achieve collective goals. It connected the abstract idea of social capital with the practical challenge of building or improving a community. The community Indicators project was funded by a partnership of key community organizations: WellSpan Health, the York County Community Foundation, the United Way of York County, the Healthy York County Coalition, the York County Chamber of Commerce and Better York. It was the first time these six organizations had ever banded together on any sustained project. More than 1,000 York County citizens helped to develop a set of 57 quality-of-life indicators first published in the 2001 report, YorkCounts: Defining our Future in York County. In May 2002, the York County commissioners endorsed the YorkCounts Commission and charged the volunteer group with developing a Community Action Plan for York County. The Commission is a collection of over 100 civic-minded individuals broadly representative of the population of York County, including stakeholders from business, government, education, faith-based and non-profit organizations. York College of Pennsylvania and the County of York joined the founding organizations as partners, creating a unique public-private partnership. After careful research, analysis and widespread community input, YorkCounts produced the 2004 Action Plan: Charting a Brighter Future For All , addressing goals in three major areas -- Economic Development, Education and Community Development -- and proposed ways in which York Countians can work collectively to set and achieve measurable results. Today, a number of community partners are actively involved in "compacts," assuming a leadership role in key initiatives. Numerous groups are providing funding, volunteers, and expertise in broad support of the YorkCounts agenda. YorkCounts seeks to build alliances and introduce partners, to spotlight issues and work toward innovative solutions. YorkCounts assesses the county's strength and vitality, and spurs action to produce "change for the better." We envision a brighter future for all. Education: School districts working together so that all our children are able to attend good schools and make continuous improvement in their performance. Economic Development: Cooperative ventures aimed at retaining existing businesses and attracting new businesses that open up first-rate job opportunities for today's economy. Health and Safety: Public policies and systems that assure our children grow up in safe neighborhoods and have clean air to breathe and safe water to drink. Diverse Communities: A community environment where respect for diversity is the norm and where hatred and intolerance are unacceptable.

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