Thanks to all the businesses and individuals who were willing to hang posters and vote for CYFC; many of whom did so, with not much in return but a piece of chocolate and a smile. A special thanks and hello goes out to Manual High School, Chipotle Grill on Colfax, Blackberry's Ice Cream Shop, The Perk on Penn Street and the many others who allowed me to "captivate" them with my hopes and dreams for young people living in Denver. Heres to this city being the the best place in the country for young people and families!

Members of the Youth Executive Committee (YEC) had a very exciting day on Saturday. We were able to participate in the American Institute of Architecture's Box City Build. This event is part of Architecture Week.

Elementary aged youth from around the city came and built a city out of boxes. The youth learned a bit about the planning process along the way. When they arrive, students receive a permit based on what type of building they want to create - places to live, places to work, places to play, places to help people and more. Then, they are off to the hardware store to purchase supplies. After creating their building, the youth meet with a building inspector to make sure their building is safe. Finally, they meet with a city planner to find a location on the city grid that matches their type of building.

The YEC was on hand to gather Voices, talk about Case voting, and to help members of the Denver City Planning Department create a video about what kids like about Denver and what they would like to see more of.

We were very excited to see the kids building things we keep hearing are some of the best things about Denver including the Denver Skate Park (see a picture in the picture section of this website).

One parent described Box City as “one of Denver’s best events for youth.” We were very glad to be part of this child/youth friendly activity!

Tonight, the full YEC will visit Box City and will be joined by a city planner to learn more about the built environment and the planning process.

We've entered and coded nearly 6,000 citizen responses! All of the data entry has been completed by young people, all under the age of 21.

At the coalition meeting we identified some windows of opportunity...the top five categories in the responses to "What are the best things about Denver for young people?" are
Parks and Open Space
Places to Go
Recreation Centers and Recreational Activities
Youth Serving Organizations and Programs
People and Relationships

And, the top five categories in response to "If you were in charge of the city, what would you do to make Denver a better place for children and youth?...
Safety
Youth Serving Organizations and Programs
Education
Parks and Open Space
Places to Go

Part of what we're hearing are the best things in Denver for young people are also things that need more attention and improvement. Coincidentally, Denver Parks and Recreation is in the midst of several major planning efforts, construction projects, and renovation efforts. Yet, youth are not engaged in these efforts.

Also, Denver Public Library is receiving bond issue money to build three new libraries in neighborhoods with large numbers of children and youth. Another huge opportunity to bring youth to the table to help plan for these new facilities and shape how they'll serve the community!

The group decided to move quickly to share the data with the parks and library organizations and to bring youth to the table to voice their opinions. Here we go....from conversations to action!

Thanks to those of you who joined us at last night's Denver's Child/Youth Friendly City Initiative Coalition meeting.

We appreciate Denver School of Science and Technology for providing us space and internet access so we could vote for the project right on site.

Each day, Denver residents are taking thousands of small actions to make this a great place for children and youth. Denver’s Child and Youth Friendly City Initiative is pleased to recognize every day heroes whose small actions make our city a better place for children and youth. The Simply Taking Action Recognition (STAR) Award honors these individuals.

Denver's Child & Youth Friendly City Initiative is proud to recognize the Spring 2008 STAR Award Honoree.

Marc Crawford is honored for his work with middle school students at the Rishel Beacon Neighborhood Center, helping them academically and supporting their personal growth. Marc is a true role model.

Thanks for taking action!

To nominate someone you know who is taking action to make Denver a child and youth friendly city please e-mail the following information to katherine@buildassets.org.

1. Name of Nominee:
2. Organization & Title (if applicable):
3. Actions nominee has taken to make Denver more child & youth friendly (please limit to 100 words):
4. How can we contact the nominee:
5. Your name:
6. Your contact information:

Your nominee does not need to be involved in the initiative. We’re looking for a broad range of simple actions—from organizing a carpool to school in a neighborhood, to volunteering in an after school program, to building bridges between youth and local business, to gathering voices for CYFC, to linking natural connecting places to the community wide conversation.

Walter and I are interns with the Child/Youth Friendly City Project. Our School, Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST) has an internship program that all juniors are involved in. This internship program lasts for one Trimester and allows us to experience a professional working environment.

During our internship, we have been involved in various activities such as, but not limited to, Facilitating Conversions with parents about their goals for Denver. We helped facilitate a conversion with our mentor Katherine Plog Martinez at Merrill Middle School. Two questions were discussed by the parents. We wanted to get the parents opinions on what they thought would help make Denver a better city for children and youth. The questions that were asked were:

I. What would Denver look like, sound like, feel like, be like were it a child and youth friendly city?

Here are a few of their responses:
•City Wide community events
•Safe interactions
•Fly over walkways
•Youth volunteering
•Flat rate transit
•Diversion programs and logical consequences

II. Were Denver such a place, how would they city and its residents benefit?

Here are a few of their responses:
•Easier to work together with neighbors
•Business would be more accountable - socially responsible, greener, more productive.
•Youth and adults would be more accountable for their actions and would make better decisions.
•People would have a better understanding of self and others. They would be fascinated by differences.
•Less fear and less violence.

These are only a few of the answers that we received. This feedback was significant to help us better understand what parents thought was best for the city. This information will also help us create a city wide vision for Denver as a child/youth friendly city.

Although this was our first time being involved in facilitated conversations it is only one of the many Facilitated conversations that is done by CYFC in order to better understand the needs for the city.