Mission and Approach

Our Mission

To shape and secure the future of democracy by preparing young people for a life of informed, active citizenship.

Our Approach

The Center for Youth Voice directly engages students in hands-on experiences to narrow learning opportunity gaps and build civic literacy and leadership knowledge, interests, and skills. From a child’s first vote to a youth’s first community leadership role and beyond, our programs and activities are guided by four core principles:

• Participants’ voices are encouraged, valued and incorporated to the fullest extent possible
• The experiences, knowledge, perspectives and concerns of participants are incorporated to the fullest extent possible
• Participants learn by doing, with a focus on collective action
• Participant reflection and analysis are central to the process.

The Center for Youth Voice is a function of the YMCA of the North. It is funded in part through a grant from the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and the citizens of Minnesota