By Tess Malijenovsky

After being chosen as one of the nation’s “100 best Communities for Young People” by the America’s Promise Alliance in 2011, Beaufort County will continue to defend its title into the new year by advertising “beaufort4kids.com.”
Out of the 300 communities across the nation that were nominated for the Alliance’s “100 Best list,” only 29 were added in 2011.
“America’s Promise said that a key strength of our application was the comprehensive array of services and opportunities available for our young people and their families, particularly relating to education and family services,” said Superintendent Valerie Truesdale. “One of the ongoing challenges we face is ensuring that families are aware of those services and opportunities, and this website will help to accomplish that.”
In an effort to bring awareness to great local resources, three new billboards will go up across the county directing families to “beaufort4kids.com,” an on-line directory of services for children and their families. The website provides a variety of links to local services ranging from recreation to education to transportation.
Adams Outdoor Advertising partnered with the website by providing the billboard space without charge.
“Our hope is that these billboards will make more people aware of the many services and opportunities that are available to help keep their families healthier, happier and more successful in school,” said Cynthia Beilar, general manager of local operations for Adams Outdoor Advertising.
The county’s strengths are its innovation and efforts in helping young people achieve their potential by graduating from high school, securing a job and playing an active role in America’s economic vitality. It does so by providing youth with after-school programs and health initiatives, such as with YMCA of Beaufort County, the Boys &amp; Girls Club of the Lowcountry and Beaufort County Parks and Leisure Services. Beaufort also provides leadership development opportunities for youth through its annual Beaufort County Youth Leadership Conference.
Also, Beaufort coordinates a health model made up of 16 local organizations that aim to reduce childhood obesity, increase access to health services, advance health education programs and provide more opportunities for youth to participate in physical activity.