CityStories / City Profiles / Large Cities / Aurora, Colorado

The City of Aurora's Office of Youth Development involves the entire community in building positive experiences for young people and encouraging what it calls "40 developmental assets," which include safety, creative activities and a commitment to learning. Aurora furthers this with other measures including Kash for Kids—an printer cartridge and cell-phone recycling initiative that raises money for skill-building programs for children in risky environments, and the Aurora Youth Commission—a 22-member youth group which meets regularly to advise the City Council and City Manager of the interests of young citizens.