The Critical Years: 10-15
Our Community. Our Children. Our Commitment. 

Young people between the ages of 10 and 15 are the next generation of Genesee County citizens.  An investment in their future is an investment in the future of our community.

It is during these critical years that youth are particularly vulnerable to influences that lead to high dropout rates or student involvement with drugs, drinking or other negative behaviors.  This window of time in their growth and development marks the last chance to easily and positively affect their life path so that they become successful, engaged adults.

Each of us, every day, has the power to make any interaction that we have with a 10 to 15 year old a positive and meaningful one.  Even if he or she is not your child, your student or your neighbor, what you do – or don’t do – can make a significant difference.

They need us and they need us now, before it’s too late.

By taking The Critical Years Community Pledge, you are making a conscious commitment to positively support the next generation of Genesee County citizens – young people between the ages of 10 and 15 – with your thoughts, words and actions each and every day.
 

	to read and take the Pledge. (For a downloadable version that you can complete and mail to Priority Children, click here.)
	to learn more about the Pledge
	to learn about actions steps that YOU can take in support of the Pledge
	to learn about the evolution of the Critical Years Initiative
	for the Critical Years White Paper

for the Executive Summary