Dear John,
This has been quite a time at Children’s Defense Fund. Across two unforgettable days of policy dialogue and one luminous evening of celebration in Washington, D.C., we were reminded that children’s well-being must remain the measure of our collective success.
At the American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF), powered by CDF, child advocates, policymakers, researchers, and youth leaders analyzed how today’s policies shape tomorrow’s opportunities — and how we can build systems that center children, empower families, and make joy a public priority. At the National Celebration of Joy, we honored people and partners whose leadership is turning that vision into reality, sustaining five decades of impact and inspiring the next generation of changemakers.
Together, these two gatherings reflected the essence of our mission: ensuring that every child grows up with dignity, hope, and joy. Once again, we witnessed what’s possible when we come together with purpose.
