Vision and mission

We explain the inspiration that drives our work.

Overview

Vision

We envision a future where all children and youth in Minneapolis:

  • Feel safe and heard
  • Are given opportunities to participate and lead
  • Thrive

Mission

Our mission is to create equitable and just spaces for:

  • Children
  • Youth
  • Families

We seek to lead the state and the country by helping youth:

  • Share power
  • Mobilize collective action

We champion local:

  • Cultures
  • Development
  • Education
  • Health
  • Safety 

We use a global children and youth rights lens.

Guiding principles

We strive to uphold the rights of children and youth in innovative and relevant ways. Guided by a spirit of hope, we embrace:

Youth leadership

  • We seek out our city’s children and youth.
  • We encourage them to lead in peer-to-peer and intergenerational decision-making.

Inclusion and collaboration

  • Our city’s children and youth feel heard.
  • They feel free to share their thoughts freely:
    • With their own voices
    • Through their lived experiences

Safe and courageous spaces

Our city’s children and youth feel safe:

  • At home
  • In school
  • In their communities

Accessibility

  • We will be intentional about accessibility.
  • Our programs and services are accessible to all children and youth.

Accountability

  • Our City leaders are accountable to:
    • The rights of children and youth
    • The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
  • Children, youth and adults are accountable to one another. We seek collective action to promote and protect children’s rights.

Read the the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

UNICEF Child Friendly Cities Initiative

See what it means to be a UNICEF Child Friendly City.

Contact us

Minneapolis Health Department

Phone

612-673-2301

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 520
Minneapolis, MN 55415