City of Grand Rapids issued the following announcement on Dec. 11.
Lynn Heemstra, executive director of Our Community’s Children (OCC), and a nationally known advocate for youth and children, announced her retirement after 22 years of public service.
Heemstra was hired in 1998 to establish a new office as a joint venture between the City and Grand Rapids Public Schools intended to promote equitable access to opportunities that prepare young people for college, work and life. Since then, she has built community collaborations, programs and partnerships at the national, state and local levels to enhance public policy and improve children’s lives.
This work has been highlighted by development of the first Grand Rapids Youth Master Plan, which set the stage for innovative youth employment and readiness programs like LEAD, the Mayor’s 100 and GRow1000. Heemstra guided the development of the Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) Network, the Mayor’s Youth Council and the award-winning Safe Home, Safe Kids campaign.
She also helped launch the T2C Studio: Grand Rapids Center for College Success, helping more than 1,800 students – mostly Grand Rapids Public School graduates, persons of color and first-generation college goers – get to and through college to degree. Throughout her tenure OCC secured more than $90 million for Grand Rapids youth initiatives.
“It truly takes a village to support children throughout their lives,” said Heemstra, “and it has been an honor and a privilege to work with others to help young people become engaged citizens with bright futures.”
Heemstra credits her team and national and community partners for the incredible work that has been accomplished.
“I can't say enough how much I have appreciated Lynn’s dedication and work to make this a great city for children and families,” said Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, “She has put Grand Rapids in the national spotlight repeatedly for our collaboration in afterschool programming, for connecting children to nature, and in post-secondary success with the T2C Studio.”
Kristian Grant, president of the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education and Dr. Leadriane Roby, superintendent of schools echoed Mayor Bliss’ sentiments saying, “On behalf of the Grand Rapids Board of Education and all our students, families, and staff at Grand Rapids Public Schools, we want to thank Lynn Heemstra for her remarkable leadership, advocacy, and service on behalf of Our Community’s Children. Thanks to her leadership, GRPS and the City of Grand Rapids are gaining national attention for our unique partnership and service to children and families.”
Original source can be found here.
Source: City of Grand Rapids
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