Project Summary

View My Proposal

We want to create Denver as the first Child/Youth Friendly City in the nation. Engaging youth voice in decision making will produce more effective and efficient outcomes in social policy and the built environment, thereby creating a city that is friendly to all.

About me

Dr. Maria Guajardo is the Executive Director of the Mayor's Office for Education and Children (MOEC). MOEC serves birth to age 20 through a variety of programs and has been a leader in child and youth development. The child/youth friendly city concept will help MOEC move children and youth to the front of the social/political agenda. Dr. Willelm van Vilet is the Director of the Children, Youth and Environment Center for Research and Design. He has international experience in community building and sees youth voice in the buit environment as key to the success in urban settings. Stephanie Hoy, Executive Director of Assets for Colorado Youth (ACY), is the power and presence behind the initiative. ACY has the research and practical expertise in youth development to lead the way. They provide children and youth development trainings to schools, non-profits, early child care providers, churches and businesses. These founding partners have brought together many initiatives, organizations and individuals willing to create this vision for our city. We are bulding new relationships around this movement and see it as a long term community building process. We want this grant because this is the first of its kind in the United States and we need financial assistance to quicken our movement. Your funding of the child/youth friendly city will show the value of pursuing this dream....of a city that is friendly to all.