Strength in numbers. When we work together, we're stronger. Better. An engagement is an official letter of endorsement from YorkCounts given to one or more organizations that work to advance the YorkCounts agenda. Criteria used to evaluate the merit of the engagement include: The proposed initiative advances the YorkCounts agenda through a broadly defined ready solution in which no specific action/activity has been identified. The proposed initiative may be one of several initiatives that can advance a broadly defined ready solution. Affordable Housing Healthy York County Coalition YorkCounts action teams found evidence of a real need for new and rehabilitated affordable housing throughout York County. They put forth a recommendation to increase the number and distribution of affordable housing options with the hope and expectation of cultivating private business support for the efforts of faith-based and community-based groups, such as Habitat for Humanity, in developing affordable housing units. In the summer of 2005, the Housing Task Force of the Healthy York County Coalition entered into an engagement with YorkCounts whereby the HYCC agreed to study this issue further and (1) propose a "challenge goal" for additional affordable housing units within the next five years, including a recommendation for target areas within the county for these units; (2) analyze the current capacity to expand affordable housing; and (3) identify strategies for meeting the five-year "challenge goal". The study and report are complete and interested parties are meeting to discuss next steps. You can read the report by clicking here. Leadership for Diverse Schools Leadership York and York Jewish Community Center Deep concerns about diversity, tolerance and social justice in York County were at the heart of the YorkCounts founding partners' decision to convene and fund a community planning process. YorkCounts action teams stressed the need for schools to play a role in teaching students to value and respect one another's differences and in fostering diverse experiences. Leadership York and the York Jewish Community Center (YJCC) joined forces in 2004 to develop a training program that will prepare York County educators to take a lead role in promoting and embracing diversity in their classrooms and communities. The Leadership for Diverse Schools leadership development course is designed to enable educators to respond more effectively to their diverse student and parent groups and to cultivate an environment where there is respect and appreciation of racial, class, and cultural diversity. There is currently a class of 38 educators, including assistant superintendents, guidance counselors, teachers and assistant principals, enrolled for the 2006-2007 pilot year. These educators represent 11 York County School Districts and work in elementary, middle and high schools throughout York County. The pilot program is underway. The class had its orientation on September 7, 2006 and since then has had a retreat and several of its eight session, with expected program completion in May, 2007. As part of the program, class members are also required to participate in community activities/events related to diverse issues outside of the sessions. They will work with individuals from other districts to share perspectives and tools as well as in teams from their own districts to develop a vision for extending their school's diversity plan. The YJCC profiled one Leadership for Diverse Schools participant in its Winter 2008 newsletter. Click here to read the profile.

YorkCounts - 605 S. George St., Suite 160 - York, PA 17401 717/815-6430 - yorkcounts@gmail.com For the Media - Site Tools - Terms of Service/Privacy