To College, Through College Intiative & T2C Studio
The T2C Studio, located at the Grand Rapids Public Library, serves as your one stop shop for college navigation. We offer a variety of services that help guide students to their desired college or university, and through their degree program. Through our To College, Through College coordinator and community partners, the T2C Studio supports you with financial assistance, scholarships, one on one support, and more. Your college success is our #1 priority!
Cities Connecting Children to Nature
Grand Rapids Connecting Children to Nature initiative is promoting community awareness of the health and social benefits of the outdoors. We are starting in four neighborhoods with children and residents to implement green parks and playgrounds. We want Grand Rapids to be a city where children have the opportunity to play, learn and grow outdoors in nature. We seek to ensure a connection to nature becomes an integral part of city priorities, planning and policymaking across a range of areas, including community health and wellness, education, out-of-school time programming, job creation, transportation and land use.
KidSpeak®
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.
LEAD Program
The Leadership and Employment, Achievement and Direction (LEAD) program provides unique training in civic engagement, leadership and employability skills to young people. This fun and interactive experience consists of workshops in résumé and cover letter writing, interviewing, dressing for success, stress management, game night, financial literacy, field trips to local businesses and colleges and more!
Mayor’s Youth Council
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.
GRow1000 Academy
In an effort to promote longer-term employment opportunities this fall, GRow1000 Academy, a spin-off from the summer youth employment program, will again take place. This program is funded in part by Bank of America and the Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation. GRow1000 Academy will again take place funded in part by Bank of America! This employment experience is curated with the 18 to 24-year-old population in mind. These young people will enhance their employability skills, (re)discover gifts and talents, and build upon their ability to make meaningful decisions.
