Banners by Art Action Group about what they like in Boulder and what they would like to change.
This is what people are saying:
Our young people are our future, our world of tomorrow. There is perhaps no greater purpose than creating a community that ensures the success, care, health and well-being of our youth!
Deirdre Pilch, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent for School Leadership
Middle Schools and High Schools
Growing Up Boulder provides an opportunity to hear from young people about what is important to them, and to involve them in helping to make Boulder the best city it can possibly be -- for young people, for their families, and for all of us.
David Driskell
City of Boulder Executive Director of Community Planning and Sustainability
Kids who participate in this project will get the opportunity to share and express their ideas by painting a community mural. We will also develop leadership and teamwork while improving our community.
Laura Severson, 7th grade student
Kids without disabilities will learn how much kids with disabilities have to contribute and how much they want to be just “one of the gang” and kids with disabilities will get the opportunity to make new friends and to give instead of always receiving from the community and peers.
Jess Hunter Lawhead, 7th grade student, with the help of his friends
Growing Up Boulder is a Child- and Youth-Friendly City Initiative started in the spring of 2009. People from the University of Colorado's Children, Youth and Environments Center, the City's Department of Community Planning and Sustainability and the Department of Housing and Human Services - Children, Youth and Families Division, the Boulder Valley School District, and several other organizations and community members began a planning process with middle- and high-school youth.
During several summer meetings, youth developed ideas for a large public event to be held on October 10. Working in committees that deal with program activities, recruitment, logistics, fundraising and other issues, they are empowered to make decisions about how this event can best address the needs of Boulder's young people.
In many ways, Boulder is a great place to grow up. However, the city's amenities and resources are not accessible to ALL, and some things can be better. The October 10th event will be a unique opportunity for Boulder's young people to make their voices heard. Action groups of youth will work with adults to follow up on priorities that young people will identify that day. They will develop recommendations for the revision of the City's Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan and development of the City's Youth Strategy Plan.
If you're interested in learning more or becoming involved, email us at growingupboulder@gmail.com or call 303-735-5199 (Coordinators: Debbie Flanders Cushing and Mara Mintzer).
