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Achieving Our VISION - CHILDREN FI RST <br /> <br />Although the Children First initiative was underway before the Vision St. Louis Park <br />process began, it is such an important component of community life that it was <br />incorporated into our vision statement. <br /> <br />This unique citywide initiative now employs a full-time coordinator and is guided by a <br />team of citizens, students and representatives of the city, education, business, health <br />and religious communities. <br /> <br />Children First focuses on involving everyone in the community in building the 30 assets <br />children need to become caring, productive and responsible adults. These assets are <br />building blocks for healthy development and include internal assets such as <br />educational commitment, positive values and social competence and external assets <br />such as family and community support, parental control and structured time use. <br /> <br />The mission of Children First is to create a community that gives children our top <br />priority so all youngsters can benefit from strong families, positive relationships with <br />adults, and positive peer influence. <br /> <br />Among the Children First recommendations: · Launch a public awareness campaign to inform each citizen about Children <br /> First to encourage their active participation in developing assets in youth <br /> · Help all types of organizations in St. Louis Park determine how they can put <br /> children first <br /> · Encourage parents to spend at least 22 minutes a day with their child <br /> · Find ways to connect youth with caring adults <br /> · Focus on neighborhood involvement as a means to connect youth with adults <br /> · Work on ways to provide year-round structured activities for youth of all ages <br /> · Provide volunteer opportunities for all youth. <br /> <br />By creating a caring community for youth today, we build a better tomorrow for <br />everyone. <br /> Children First Vision Team members: <br /> Karen Atkinson Brandon Gailagher <br /> Charlene Barghini Cris Gears <br /> Peter Benson Bill Gleeson <br /> Jack Chaffee Bridget Gothberg <br /> Cari DeWall Eileen Hansen <br /> Ed Egermeier Ben Hershey <br /> Carl Holmstrom <br /> Mick Johnson, Chair <br /> Nancy Lapakko <br /> <br /> Mancel Mitchell <br /> Alex Ngo <br /> <br />For more information about Children First, call 928-6075. <br /> <br />Dennis Ormseth <br />Travis Pearson <br />Josine Peters <br />Bob Ramsey <br />James Sanderson <br />Mary Jacobs Spaulding <br />Ann Stokes <br />Ashley Tornoson <br />Gail Toatley <br />Linda Trummer <br />Jei'ry Waldman <br />Sue Wolfe <br /> <br /> <br />