The Bay Citizen Announces Citizen of Tomorrow Award

Award Recognizes Emerging Community Leaders Working to Make a Difference in the Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO, April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bay Citizen is excited to announce that it is now accepting applications for its inaugural Citizen of Tomorrow Award. The Award recognizes an individual or small not-for-profit organization who has come up with an ingenious way to solve a local community challenge in the Bay Area, whether it's combating gang violence, lowering school dropout rates, providing job training, or greening a neighborhood.

The Citizen of Tomorrow Award was born out of the belief that people have the inherent capacity to solve their community's problems, and that the Bay Area is home to a lot of people with the creativity, drive, and entrepreneurial spirit to do just that.

The winner, who will be announced during The Bay Citizen's Citizen Celebration benefit, receives a cash award of $5,000 to support the cause; a professionally-produced video about his or her work; and a press release. The winner will be an honored guest at the awards ceremony. Second and third place runners-up will also receive cash awards.

"The Citizen of Tomorrow Award aims to encourage and inspire local citizens to make their communities a better place," said Lisa Frazier, CEO of The Bay Citizen. "About a year ago, we started The Bay Citizen in response to the community's need for more quality original reporting about Bay Area civic issues. Now, we hope to recognize an individual or small not-for-profit organization who is similarly taking a proactive approach to solving a local community challenge."

The Citizen of Tomorrow Award winner will be chosen by public vote. The winner will be announced at The Bay Citizen's Citizen Celebration benefit on May 18, 2011 at Terra Gallery in San Francisco. At the benefit, where SPO Partners is a Presenting Sponsor, The Bay Citizen will also announce the recipient of its Citizen of the Year award, notable Bay Area philanthropist William J. Patterson (in memoriam).

The contest is officially accepting submissions through Thursday, April 21, 2011. Qualifying individuals and organizations who are having a positive impact on their Bay Area communities are encouraged to apply for free at www.baycitizen.org/citizenoftomorrow/.

ABOUT THE BAY CITIZEN:

The Bay Citizen is a nonprofit, nonpartisan member-supported news organization that provides in-depth original reporting on Bay Area issues including public policy, education, the arts and cultural affairs, health and science, the environment, and more. The Bay Citizen's news can be found online at www.baycitizen.org as well as in print in The New York Times Bay Area report on Fridays and Sundays. For more information, please visit www.baycitizen.org.

Media contacts:
Rose Roll, The Bay Citizen
[email protected]

SOURCE The Bay Citizen