Let’s make Pierce County the best place to grow up.
A vision for our region.
We are on a mission to make Pierce County the best place to grow up. A place where every child and youth feels a deep sense of belonging, a jubilant spirit of play, and an unshakable optimism for the future. A place where their experience is honored and championed by the adults who precede them. We want our children and youth to be at the center of the culture we create — from playgrounds to policy and everything in between.
Some will join this initiative at ground level, effecting change and shaping the culture within their close spheres of influence. Others will operate from an aerial view, orchestrating funding and policies that enable systems change. Just as our county spans from the tides of the Puget Sound to the summit of Mount Rainier, this movement can only be considered whole if we have committed players at every level.
So our rally cry is this: let’s be the village that raises the status of children and youth. Let’s respect them, protect them, lead them, and learn from them. Let’s invite them to be co-creators and collaborators, facilitators and innovators. If the children and youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow, then our past will be remembered by the way we nurture our future.
A CYC community...
designs with input from community stakeholders, and centers the voices and best interests of children and youth in all decision-making.
collaborates and adapts to implement equitable and intergenerational solutions.
centers anti-racism and dismantles barriers based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and other identities.
reduces the impact of poverty, and makes it clear how to access support if needed.
respects children and youth without discrimination of any kind and embraces children and youth with special needs and disabilities.
celebrates and values the good work being done on behalf of children and youth.
A CYC Community provides…
access to supportive services for the physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and mental health and wellbeing of its children and youth.
consistent relationships with caring, non-family trusted adults.
safe, accessible indoor and outdoor spaces to play, be creative, and connect with one another and nature.
high quality and culturally responsive education from birth to postsecondary education.
opportunities to gain work experience and build skills.
