Boys Town Home Campus - Boys Town, NE
Boys Town Mayor Helps Keep America's Promise
When leaders from across the United States gathered to brainstorm how to best make a difference in the lives of young people, they asked one of America's youngest mayors for her advice.
Elected by the children she represents, 18-year-old Mayor Caitlin Huber, speaks for the more than 46,000 children finding help, healing and hope at Boys Town. Huber offered her experiences, and those of her Boys Town brothers and sisters, during the America's Promise Leadership Summit Feb. 20-22 in Washington, D.C.
"It was an amazing experience," said Caitlin, one of only four youths nationwide asked by America's Promise to attend the conference. "Once they found out who I was and where I come from, they would come talk to me and ask my opinions, and they mattered."
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Mayor Caitlin Huber celebrates the achievements of today's youth during the America's Promise Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. with former Secretary of State and America's Promise founder Colin Powell. (pictured L to R) Stacey Walker, Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year, Cedar Rapids, IA, University of Iowa; Paula Chrin, Circle K Club, Washington D.C.; Colin Powell, America's Promise Founder; Caitlin Huber, Mayor of Boys Town; Glenn Means, America's Promise Youth Partnership Team, Kentucky.
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"Caitlin was invited because of her great interest in helping other kids be successful and because America's Promise decided asking kids their opinion would be the best way to ensure their Five Promises were fulfilled," said Jodi Skartvedt, Caitlin's Family-Teacher along with her husband, Kyle. "It was exciting for her to see what kids say makes a difference to adults who are trying to help them."
Sharing her thoughts and ideas with national and community leaders, Caitlin and the group worked to create new ideas for America's Promise Alliance to bring the Five Promises - the resources children need in order to grow up to be healthy, happy and successful - to 15 million more children each year. The Five Promises include: caring adults who are actively involved in their lives; safe places in which to learn and grow; a healthy start toward adulthood; an effective education that builds marketable skills; and opportunities to help others.
"We came up with three main goals, including health insurance for all kids, safe places for kids to go after school, and mentors, as a way to reach more children in need," said Caitlin, who says finding good mentors who can share their life experiences will be a big help for at-risk kids. She says her Boys Town mentors have helped her, and hundreds of other children, be successful.
"If you would've asked me before I came to Boys Town if I thought somebody cared, I would've said 'no,' but there were over a hundred people at this conference, and each one is connected to other people in their own communities," said Caitlin. "That's why it's going to work - because everybody's connected to somebody who's going to help."
In January, Boys Town earned it's second consecutive selection by America's Promise as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People based on the organization's efforts to fulfill the Five Promises.
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