The City of Yonkers has received a huge honor from former President Barack Obama. The state's third largest city was chosen as one of four communities that are now a "My Brother’s Keeper Model Community."           

The My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Program was created in 2014 by President Obama as a call to action on a local level to help young men of color succeed in life by graduating high school.           

Since the City of Yonkers accepted former President Obama's challenge, they've grown their graduation rate to a whopping 91%. "We worked with faith-based organizations, we worked with the police department and the fire department. Everyone had to buy in because you can't have a movement unless everyone is a part of it. And as a result of the programs and the investments we've made, we're now seeing the fruits of our labor come to fruition," says Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano.            

My Brother’s Keeper is granting the program $800,000 to continue.