1. There are 45,834 children under age 18 in Grand Rapids. U.S Census Bureau, 2008 American Survey

3. Mission: Mission: To improve the lives of our city’s youth through public policy, partnerships and innovative programs.

4. We value the active participation and voices of youth in our advocacy …

6. and we work to ensure children have the resources they need to be successful in life.

8. Key Areas of Focus : Quality After School Programs Youth Leadership & Civic Engagement Jobs for Youth College access Advocacy for funding & resources to meet the needs of children

10. City & Schools City & Schools State County National Child Our work is dependent on partnerships child-centric shared goals common language win-win mentality big picture vision

11. “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” Nelson Mandela

13. The “Wow” from Partnerships: A quality after school program in every public school…serving over 10,000 youth, over $24 million in after school funding, & an established ELO Network; Produced Grand Rapids Youth Master Plan…a big picture framework for what children need 0-21. Youth are actively engaged in city government… www.grteens.com; Mayor’s Youth Council; GR Youth Commission; GR Teen Profile; KidSpeak™ Produce annually the Grand Rapids Juvenile Offense Index to track progress Have offered over 100 jobs to youth – Mayor’s 50 Launching Learn & Serve initiatives - Project GREEN

14. For more information, contact Lynn Heemstra at 616-456-4353 or go to www.grcity.us/ourchildren