Our Community’s Children

GRow1000 was launched the summer of 2020 in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing racial and economic disparities. City Manager Mark Washington called on business and community leaders to help mitigate these effects by employing 1,000 young people during the summer. Over the last four summers, the GRow1000 program has nearly 1,000 youth in meaningful jobs at unique job sites at area businesses, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions and government.

Located at the Grand Rapids Public Library, the T2C Studio: Grand Rapids Center for College Success is a community place-based response that engages higher education and the community in breaking down barriers to student success. The T2C Studio is the bridge from high school to college completion for students needing assistance in getting to and through college.

The Council is comprised of students in the 9th -12th grade who are city residents. The Council members serve a one year term from October to May. Council Members broaden the scope of youth leadership in city government by discussing policy issues that affect them with the Mayor, City Commission, and staff, gathering input from area youth, promoting awareness of the strengths and abilities of youth, and coordinating with other local and national organizations.

KidSpeak® is a free annual forum facilitated by the Mayor’s Youth Council, managed by Our Community’s Children, that gives young people in kindergarten through 12th-grade the opportunity to speak directly to legislators, community leaders, and school officials about issues of importance to them.

This event is sponsored by: Mayor’s Youth Council, Michigan’s Children, Our Community’s Children, Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, and the City of Grand Rapids.

The ELO Network is a system building effort that ensures children in West Michigan have access to after school programming promoting their success. The ELO Network is made up of diverse entities that support youth through corresponding events and activities.

The ELO Network represents primary schooling, higher education, municipalities, youth serving organizations, police youth services, the United Way, and other businesses. We owe much of our development to our partners that have decided to invest in West Michigan’s future.

The GRow1000 Academy provides long-term employment for young adults ages 18-24 in Grand Rapids. The program is facilitated by Our Community’s Children along with local youth development facilitators with support provided by Bank of America, City of Grand Rapids and the Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation. By participating in the two-week series of professional development sessions that culminate with the GRow1000 Academy Job Fair, young adults will utilize their skills and talents to develop sustained career opportunities.