Community Alliance for Child Rights

Child rights know no borders. As part of our larger mission to build a more equitable future for young people worldwide, UNICEF USA’s Community Alliance for Child Rights works to improve the well-being of children here in the United States.

High school UNICEF club members smile and pose in a gym wearing matching shirts that celebrate “World’s Children’s Day” and UNICEF.

Our Vision

Communities where every child is healthy, educated, protected and respected.

Who We Are

We are anyone who commits to protecting child rights here in the US. The Alliance brings together and mobilizes people whose efforts help shape communities that improve the well-being of children.

Young people +  Adult allies +  Civil society +  Local, state and federal governments +  Private sector

Snapshots of Our Work

Click on a city to learn more about how local governments, youth and other partners are taking action with UNICEF USA.

A map of the United States shows pushpin graphics highlighting each city or area that is working with UNICEF USA’s child friendly cities initative. Those cities are (clockwise from Northeast): Newton, CT, Newark, NJ, Prince George’s County, Burlington, NC, Decatur, GA, Houston, TX, Berkeley, CA, Boulder, CO, Minneapolis, MN, Alton, IL, and Ann Arbor, MI.
Former Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston City Council, and UNICEF USA Celebrate CFCI Recognition at City Hall in August 2023. Photo Credit: Jessica McGowen

Houston, TX

The City of Houston, in partnership with UNICEF USA, officially became the first UNICEF Child Friendly City in the United States in August 2023! The Mayor’s Office of Education and Youth Engagement worked with city leaders, government agencies, service providers, youth and families to conduct a citywide situation analysis on the state of children’s rights. Then, they successfully implemented a local action plan to address mental health, emergency preparedness, and youth civic engagement. This momentous recognition reaffirms the City of Houston’s commitment to building better communities for children and youth.

Mayor Frey and UNICEF USA CEO and President Michael J. Nyenhuis are joined by local CFCI partners, youth leaders and staff to celebrate Minneapolis's recognition as a UNICEF Child Friendly City on February 14, 2024 at the Minneapolis Public Service Building

Minneapolis, MN

On February 14, 2024, Minneapolis became the second official Child Friendly City in the US! Through their participation, the city of Minneapolis emphasized inclusive governance and community engagement, ensuring that voices of youth are heard in decision-making processes. By addressing issues like emergency preparedness, youth participation, and community safety, Minneapolis exemplifies a commitment to building a city where every child's basic rights are protected and valued, setting a powerful example for cities worldwide.

Members of the Decatur community hold up a certificate signifying the city’s candidate status.

Decatur. GA

On November 29, 2023, Decatur achieved Child Friendly Cities Initiative Candidate City status, marking a significant step toward creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for youth. Spearheaded by their Teen Leadership Team, the city's Local Action Plan for Youth outlines five key priorities, including environmental consciousness, equitable access to resources, and fostering trust with law enforcement. As Decatur moves forward on its journey to become a recognized Child Friendly City, collaboration between government officials and community leaders underscores a collective effort to prioritize the well-being of children and youth.

A young girl points to items on a map, which signify child-friendly efforts in her town.

Boulder, CA

The City of Boulder, UNICEF USA, and Growing Up Boulder formally launched its Child Friendly Cities Initiative partnership at a Día del Niño community celebration in April 2023. UNICEF CFCI complements the long history of Growing Up Boulder’s youth engagement and participation work by aligning efforts and deepening relationships with populations that experience structural and systemic inequities. Boulder has engaged over 900 children, teens, parents/caregivers and service providers in 33 community conversations to assess the current state of children’s rights in Boulder. A youth-led local action plan is in development.

UNICEF representatives and local officials stand in front of a large puppet of a Syrian refugee.

Prince George’s County, MD

On September 19, 2023, Little Amal (a 12-foot puppet representing a Syrian refugee child) visited Prince George’s County International High School. The event was coordinated by the Office of the County Executive and UNICEF USA. It was an opportunity for students and staff to learn about Little Amal’s message of hope and to elevate the voices of displaced children. During the event Prince George’s County also launched its “Welcome to Prince George’s” guide, a multi-lingual resource to help newcomers access information about key services.

City of Alton press conference on October 30, 2023 announcing Alton's CFCI partnership with UNICEF USA. At left, Tracy Nájera - Vice President of U.S. Programs at UNICEF USA, is joined by Alton Mayor David Goins and Dr. Anne Sheer - Assistant Professor at SIU School of Medicine

Alton, IL

On Halloween 2023, The City of Alton, Illinois and UNICEF USA launched a Child Friendly Cities Initiative partnership. “Our children are our future, and we must ensure they grow up with every opportunity to thrive, learn, and grow. This initiative is an important investment in our children," said Mayor David Goins, who Trick-or-Treated for UNICEF as a kid. Following a press conference, the City of Alton hosted an annual family-friendly Halloween Parade celebrating the community's shared commitment to children and the launch of the CFCI partnership.

College students sit at a table while hosting a pottery painting event at Rutgers University—Newark.

Newark, NJ

Jawad, a 21-year-old Rutgers University–Newark UNICEF Club member, hosted a pottery painting session to raise awareness of the Syrian civil war. Raised in Lebanon, he witnessed UNICEF's impact firsthand and sought to educate others on its aid to Syrian refugee children. Going beyond facts, he showcased Syrian artistry like glass painting and copper work, revealing the beauty lost to conflict. "I wanted to ignite in others the desire to change something," Jawad explained.

Hands write on a post-it note the words “It’s okay not to be okay” with a doodle of a sad face.

Burlington, NC

Knowing Valentine’s Day can be a sad time for some students, the UNICEF Club at Walter M. Williams High School created “Share the Love” posters to raise awareness about Mental Health among teenagers. Club members each wrote personal notes like “It’s okay not to be okay” or “Step into your power.” They then hung the posters around school for their fellow students to see.

UNICEF Clubmembers hold up thank-you notes written to health care workers.

Renton, WA

The Liberty High School UNICEF Club put together over 75 appreciation holiday gifts for Seattle Children’s Hospital and Kaiser Permanente Bellevue Medical Center Staff to say thank you for all they do to care for others. They also created online holiday cards for patients at St. Jude’s hospital and their families.

University of Michigan UNICEF Clubmembers hold buckets of water while walking up outdoor stairs to imitate children carrying water as a chore.

Ann Arbor, MI

The University of Michigan UNICEF Club hosted a Water Walk to raise awareness about the global water crisis and its impact on children. One of the Club's co-presidents, MaryGrace, was inspired to advocate for water security after growing up in Flint, MI, during the Flint Water Crisis. After raising money and advocating for pallets of water to be distributed at home, she and her UNICEF Club members are now teaching their classmates about global water-related issues.

UNICEF Clubmembers hold up a banner that reads “Voices for the Voiceless” while gathering at the University of Cal—Berkeley.

Berkeley, CA

The UNICEF Club at the University of Berkeley organized a sound montage event called “Voice for the Voiceless” to raise funds and awareness for children in war and conflict. Singers and musicians performed in the middle of campus and Club members shared information about UNICEF’s work to provide emergency relief to children impacted by war. This included speaking about medical care, safe water, sanitation, and hygiene kits, as well as caring for and working to reunite children who have been separated from their families.

How You Can Get Involved

Advancing child rights starts with you — and what you want to see accomplished for young people.

UNICEF Clubs

Empowering Young People to Drive Change

In our network of UNICEF clubs in high schools and at colleges, student leaders advocate for policies that promote the rights of children, spread awareness of UNICEF’s global priorities — and fundraise to help support them. UNICEF Club members are on the front lines of youth-led change to realize the rights of the world's most vulnerable children.

Learn More

Two UNICEF club members hold clear plastic bins full of books and stand in front of a larger book bin that with a sign that reads 'Book Drive'.

Communities for Every Child

Improving Child Wellbeing through Municipal Action

Through municipal partnerships, including the Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI), we’re supporting municipal governments to work together across government agencies, the non-profit and private sectors, and with children, youth and families to establish safer, more equitable and child-responsive communities. Through a child rights approach to local governance, municipal partners are working to prioritize and address the needs of children and youth and adopt governance strategies to ensure their voices are at the center of policy and program decisions.

Learn More

A UNICEF executive and a city official stand at a podium and jointly hold up a framed certificate celebrating Minneapolis’s designation as a child-friendly city.

Advocating for Child Rights

Speaking Up So That Elected Officials Will Listen

We need advocates in communities around the country to take action on legislation that protects the rights of children and directly improves their lives! Visit our Advocacy Center to build your skills and learn how you can advocate at the local, state and federal levels on issues such as expanding mental health care services for youth or ending child marriage where it still exists in the U.S and worldwide.

Learn More

Three club members are shown wearing blazers over UNICEF USA t-shirts as they sit in a conference room with their advocacy or briefing materials in front of them.

Research Library

Amassing Research as a Basis for Child-Focused Policies

UNICEF USA champions research and data on child well-being and identifies best practices to improve the lives of children. We're building and joining new partnerships, collaborations, and global networks to gather and share evidence-based insights and approaches that create progress for children. Topics include local and state policies, structural-change implementation, youth engagement and sustainability practices. Our library of research is constantly growing.

Browse the Library

A young girl with pink bows in her hair, holding her face up with her hand, propped up on one elbow at her desk, in a classroom setting.

Stay Connected with the Community Alliance for Child Rights