Counterpoint

Stadium politics aside, I need to defend my mayor's commitment to the social and educational needs of the children of Minneapolis.

A Feb. 18 commentary by Art Rolnick and Mike Meyers ("Would-be stadium spenders build their house upon sand") asked where are Mayor R.T. Rybak's programs to "give the disadvantaged a hand up in a troubled economy?"

As CEO of AchieveMpls, I can answer that question with just two examples, among many I could choose:

For the last eight years, Rybak has worked with AchieveMpls and the private sector to help 14,000 youths land high-quality, STEP-UP summer jobs. He has been the strongest advocate for our career and college centers, which help thousands of Minneapolis high school students plan for their future.

He has worked with the Minneapolis Community Technical College and the University of Minnesota to develop and fund programs that provide free tuition to Minneapolis students. This is the mayor's Minneapolis Promise, and young people from immigrant families, families of color and families living in poverty have benefited the most from it.

Working with Rolnick and others, Rybak recently helped the Northside Achievement Zone win a $28 million federal Promise Neighborhood grant. This innovative effort will create comprehensive, cradle-to-career opportunities and a culture of high achievement for children and families in north Minneapolis.

Rybak deserves praise for his efforts to make Minneapolis a city that values, protects and supports its children and youths, and for making exactly the kinds of public investments that Rolnick and Meyers suggest are needed.

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Pam Costain is president and CEO of AchieveMpls.