Children First History

The seed for Children First was planted in 1992 when the St. Louis Park school superintendent challenged the St. Louis Park Rotary Club to do something for kids.

Two entrepreneurs took on the challenge which resulted in the Children First initiative. The Rotary Club and local business owners provided the initial funding for Children First.

STEPS IN A JOURNEY
A chronological history of the Children First initiative in St. Louis Park, MN;

The Beginning

1992

Carl Holmstrom's speech to St. Louis Park Rotary Club. The week following the speech, Rotarians approach Carl about the need to do something to support youth.
Formation of At-Risk Families Committee (school staff).

1993

Back-to-school workshop held for all school staff on Children First and asset survey results (September 2, 1993).
Potential members of a community wide Steering Committee identified.
First monthly Children First newsletter (October, 1993) and publicity in local newspaper.
First Steering Committee meeting (October 29, 1993). Discussed plans for town meetings.
City Council Resolution supporting Children First (November 15, 1993).
School Board Resolution supporting Children First (November 29, 1993).
Town meetings (November 30 and December 2, 1993) with approximately 150 residents in attendance. Discussed strengths and concerns about St. Louis Park and vision for community.
Search Institute staff conducted focus group interviews with approximately 35 community groups of all types. Focus group interviews included the following components: audit; obstacles; improvement; and vision.
Steering Committee meeting (December 16). Worked on plans for neighborhood conversations.

The Early Years

1994

Volunteers conducted approximately one dozen home meetings (neighborhood conversations) -"mini-town meetings." Hosts had volunteered at town meetings.
School faculty workshop on "Building Assets Through Teamwork." (January 17, 1994).
Focus group interviews and surveying continued. (Completed February, 1994.)
Senior High School student newspaper, The ECHO, lead article on Children First. (February, 1994)
Local clergy developed a draft document on "Core Values for the Children of St. Louis Park" (February, 1994).
Steering Committee meeting (February 17, 1994). Discussed design plan for Children First.
Identification of a Design Team comprised of school and Search Institute personnel to assist in analyzing data and drafting a proposal (March, 1994). Design Team meetings were held on March 9, 15, and 23, 1994.
Steering Committee meeting (March 17, 1994). Discussion of tentative Design Document for Children First and future role of Steering Committee. Completion of 1st draft of proposal (April 1,1994).
Special Steering Committee meeting (April 7, 1994). Agenda items included: Review final draft of proposal, evaluation of the process and future steps. Completion of final draft of proposal (April 11-12, 1994).
Grant proposals submitted to corporate foundations.
Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social and Community Celebration of Children First (May, 1994)
Money secured to hire a coordinator (Fall, 1994).
Children First Transition Team (including representatives from each founding partner) writes a job description, interview and select a full time coordinator for Children First.
Coordinator starts (October 1, 1994).
Transition Team becomes permanent Executive Committee responsible for organizational and fiduciary integrity of Children First.
Executive Committee members draft individuals from a variety of backgrounds to serve on Children First Vision Team with responsibility for visioning what Children First should be in St. Louis Park.
Vision Team has initial meeting in December 1994, including representatives from the city, education, health, business, clergy, Rotary, social service agencies and parents and students (grades 5 - 11).

1995

A Marketing Committee for Children First begins work in April 1995. Charged with determining how to make every citizen in St. Louis Park aware of Children First, the committee is comprised of marketing professionals (who are St. Louis Park residents and parents), school and city personnel, clergy, business people and students.
Second annual Ice Cream Social, a community-wide event is held for family fun and to celebrate St. Louis Park's efforts to put Children First. An estimated 1,500 people consumed 2,900 free ice cream cones.
To respond to inquiries from other communities about Children First, a Children First Workshop is piloted June 15, 1995.

Late 1990s

1996

Congregations organize a workshop dealing with how to keep kids safe in congregations.
Central Clinic opens, a free clinic offering physical and mental health services for all St. Louis Park youth.
Awareness efforts include meetings with St. Louis Park's private schools and including Children First information in the orientation for new staff at St. Louis Park District 283.
Building local and national media coverage includes U.S. News & World Report's cover story on resiliency includes Children First, November 11, 1996.
University students begin working with Lenox Neighborhood on an Awareness to Action campaign.

1997

The Osgoode File highlights Children First. Feb. 97.
During St. Louis Park's new Recreation Center's grand opening, the facility is dedicated to the principles of Children First.
Search Institute's Attitudes and Behaviors Survey conducted with 6th-12th graders on "40 assets". Longitudinal study launched.
Conduct panel presentation at Search Institute's first national conference.

1998

A Neighborhood Discussion Guide helps residents support kids in their area.
Youth leadership opportunities are available on local advisory councils.

1999

The Children First Story is published to record St. Louis Park's community initiative.
Children First initial web site is launched.
St. Louis Park Schools' new strategic plan exhibits a strong Children First philosophy.
A "Got Assets?" poster is developed to promote asset building among teenagers.
High School parents launch Day One, an annual celebration on the first day of school.

2000 & Beyond

2000

9th Grade Program is created to build assets, relationships and school success.
Establish teen co-chair for the initiative.
Survey shows that 42% of St. Louis Park residents know about the Children First.
Results of longitudinal study released.

2001

High school students develop and distribute An Adults Guide to Kids.
Enrichment class scholarships, Carl's Gifts, are established in memory of Carl Holmstrom.
Mayor's Youth Summit solicits teens on how to make the city more kid-friendly.

2002

Children First is the subject of a case study on asset building, conducted by Search Institute.
Results of longitudinal study released.

2003

Ten Year Celebration held celebrating accomplishments.
Skate park opens, an idea that came from Mayor's Youth Summit.
Street banners in business district are created by local citizen "artists," young and old, through unique public art project.
Pilot Developmental Asset Profile instrument for Search Institute.

2004

Awareness meeting held for businesses as part of chamber's local business council meeting.
Children First featured during Search Conference with mini-assembly. Fifteen members of Children First Vision Team participate in conference.

2005

Youth of all ages invent ways to support survivors of Hurricane Katrina & the Tsunami.
St. Louis Park named by America's Promise to the inaugural list of the 100 Best Communities for Young People.

2006

Children First develops an expansion project by creating the Asset Champion’s Network. This community-wide network engages people from organizations throughout the city to intentionally promote asset building.
A meeting with 35 community leaders is held to get their insights and garner their support for the Asset Champion’s Network concept.
Work is done to secure funding for Children First by encouraging organizations and individuals to make three-year financial commitments. Several local organizations and individuals make commitments.

2007

January 29, the Asset Champion’s Network is launched with 110 people, ages 10-80 years, participating.
In the spring, 82 Asset Champions are trained to spread the word among their organizations and constituencies.
In May, the Otto Bremer Foundation commits to a three-year grant for Children First in support of the Asset Champion’s Network.
June 1st the updated Children First website is launched.