Relationship to KConnect
Cross-Cutting Workgroup: College Enrollment
Success Measure: Thriving Family Income
Approach: Creative. Courageous.
About Our Organization:
Our Community’s Children is dedicated to improving the lives of young people to ensure they are learning, working, thriving, connecting, and leading. The office values authentic youth voice and active participation in city projects; promotes access and opportunities for youth through afterschool and leadership programs; provides training and employment to youth in marginalized communities to enhance economic security; and coordinates a place-based response to increase post-secondary degree attainment among GRPS scholars, first-generation and students of color.
About the Initiative:
The GRow1000 Summer Youth Employment Program was launched the summer of 2020 in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing racial and economic disparities. City Manager Dr. 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 employed nearly 1,000 youth in meaningful jobs at unique job sites at area businesses, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions and government.
Want to learn more?
Shannon L. Harris, Executive Director
Our Community’s Children
sharris@grcity.us
www.ourcommunityschildren, www.eloafterschool.com, www.t2cstudio.us, www.grandrapidsmi.gov/grow1000