The children and youth of Grand Rapids, which is those between the ages of birth and 21, are very fortunate that the city has the special program, “Our Children, Our Future”, and its Youth Master Plan to give them major support in numerous areas and look out for them at every stage of their young lives. Evidence of the community’s devotion is nurturing and knowledgeable services and programs.

This successful groundbreaking effort impacts more than 67,000 children and youth across the city and in neighboring areas. The youngest residents’ representation and active voices in every part of the Youth Master Plan finds active participation by Youth Commissioners, chosen from grades seven through twelve, along with the contributions of childhood professionals, parents and residents of the entire community.

The City Commission had pledged its commitment to children through a resolution on January 17, 1995, supporting community-defined standards for “Our Children, Our Future.” A Child Well-Being Task Force was established by the Mayor in March 1995 to make recommendations to fulfill these standards. The task force presented seven recommendations to the City Commission in December 1995. Committees and an Office of Children, Youth and Families were created, but it took until June of 1997 for a statement of joint goals and objectives to be adopted. It became a pioneering road map for coordinating services and outcomes for all of the children. The 39-member Youth Master Plan Steering Committee provides direction and oversight and embodies the spirit of collaboration at the core of the project.

One example of how “Our Children, Our Future” works, was the dwindling education resources, which resulted in too many youth not graduating. Public middle and high Schools have been creative in minimizing the impact of the budget cuts. Incredible community support to rally the resources has assisted students in learning
21st-century skills and prioritizing policies for well-rounded education and other aid so that the city’s youngest residents can become the leaders of tomorrow.

Children are a community’s most valued assets, and it very important for a city to support every child’s affordable and accessible education, health, housing, family relationships, social skills, safety, recreational needs and eventual employment opportunities as well as a hopeful and positive future.