FLINT, Mich. (June 22, 2026) – Crime Stoppers of Flint & Genesee County has officially launched GROW UP, a countywide awareness and prevention campaign designed to encourage young people to think beyond the moment, avoid retaliation and make decisions that positively impact their future.
The campaign was unveiled last week during a presentation shared with business leaders, law enforcement partners, community organizations and local stakeholders.
Developed in response to ongoing acts of retaliation and violence affecting Flint and Genesee County, GROW UP delivers a simple but powerful message: pause, think beyond the moment and choose a better path.
While the campaign was inspired by concerns surrounding retaliation shootings, its message
reaches far beyond violence prevention.
“GROW UP is a message of hope and possibility for the young people in our community,” said Julie Lopez, executive director of Crime Stoppers of Flint & Genesee County.
She added: “Every young person deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams, achieve their goals and build a safe, strong and secure future. Too often, retaliation and violence rob them of that opportunity. This
campaign is about reminding young people that their lives matter, their futures matter and that we care deeply about their success, their well-being and their ability to simply grow up.”
The campaign will include billboards, public service announcements, social media outreach, community partnerships and educational materials distributed throughout Genesee County. The first billboard is now displayed at Pasadena Avenue and Martin Luther King Avenue in Flint, with additional placements planned throughout the county in the coming months.
Six unique billboard designs have been created, each reinforcing themes of personal growth, accountability, opportunity and community responsibility. Through multiple messages and platforms, the campaign aims to spark conversations and encourage young people to see a future worth protecting.
Crime Stoppers has collaborated with law enforcement agencies, community organizations, schools, youth-serving programs and neighborhood partners throughout Genesee County for many years.
As the GROW UP campaign expands, Crime Stoppers will continue sharing this message through its established network of partners while also engaging additional stakeholders committed to strengthening communities and supporting youth.
Sustaining and expanding this work requires continued community investment. Support from businesses, foundations and individual donors helps make public awareness and prevention campaigns like GROW UP possible, including the development of materials, placement of messaging throughout the county and outreach efforts designed to reach young people with consistent, positive messaging.
“The strength of this campaign lies in partnership,” said Crime Stoppers Board President Tim Jones. “No single organization can prevent violence alone. By working together, we can consistently reinforce positive messages, connect young people to opportunities and help create safer communities for everyone.”
The GROW UP campaign reflects Crime Stoppers’ continued evolution beyond anonymous tip reporting. While supporting law enforcement remains central to its mission, the organization also focuses on prevention, education, community engagement and initiatives that strengthen neighborhoods before violence occurs.
At its core, GROW UP is a campaign centered on prevention, opportunity and hope, encouraging young people to recognize their potential and make choices that strengthen both their future and their community.
Organizations interested in supporting or partnering with the GROW UP campaign are
encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Flint & Genesee County.
The mission of Crime Stoppers is to partner with the community, law enforcement and the media to help solve and prevent crime. It provides a secure channel for citizens to share information with law enforcement anonymously. Crime Stoppers of Flint & Genesee County operates as a 501c3 non-profit organization, dedicated to making communities safer.
