Welcome to Michigan's Children, the Great Lakes state's only multi-issue, nonpartisan and nonprofit advocacy organization ensuring children and youths have a voice in the creation of sound public policy. We work with lawmakers, business leaders, and other advocates at the community, state and federal levels to improve the lives of all children, especially those most vulnerable and their families. 

Children, to all of us, represent hope. Hope for a better future. Hope for a happy life. Hope for their success.

We all want the best for children – our children, our neighbors’ children, our friends’ children, even the children we don’t and may never know. But we don’t always know what that means or how to get it.

At Michigan’s Children, we believe that means making sure ALL children have the opportunity to thrive. It means leveling the playing field so that all children start school ready to learn, and foster kids are given the chance to go to college, too. It means helping all parents access the tools they need to be their children’s first and best teachers.

Toward that end we take a whole child approach to advocacy. We know – through solid research by renowned scientists and tracking of programs proven to make a difference – that a child born healthy and into a stable, loving home has far greater chance of success than those who are not.

We know that the physical, socio-emotional and mental care children experience in their earliest years is critical to success in k-12. For a child’s ability to learn is severely compromised if he is ill or hungry or suffering abuse.

We know that not all children learn the same way. Some simply do not thrive in a traditional school setting. For them, we must provide alternative pathways to education to help them succeed.

And we know that health is forever intertwined. A sick child cannot focus on much other than getting healthy.

Our work and priorities are guided by the belief that to be successful, children need support in all of these areas from cradle to career.

Public policy and the division of funding to programs serving children, youths and families have a huge impact on whether a child get the resources he or she needs to succeed.

Take the single mom in Midland who is able to keep working because the state helps subsidize her child care. Or the Lapeer teen who after dropping out is back in school and thinking about college thanks to an alternative education program. Or the Albion girl whose diabetes is now under control because she was able to access government health care after her dad lost his factory job.

Stories like these abound in every community throughout Michigan. Government affects people, and the right decisions by policy makers can deliver big wins for children, youths and families. Whether in communities, the state Capitol or Congress, Michigan’s Children helps deliver those wins.

I hope you will join us in this mission.  Sign up to receive our ebulletins alerting you to the latest actions affecting Michigan children and families, and how you can raise your voice for children. Join us at a fundraiser or community event. Help us continue our work by becoming an investor in Michigan’s Children.

By joining us, you are helping to improve the lives of thousands of children throughout Michigan and creating a stronger, brighter future for our state.

Thank you for speaking up for Michigan’s children!

Jack Kresnak
President & CEO