Our Voice for Children
December 2019
10 Things You Made Possible This Year
Children have never needed a strong and independent advocate more than they do right now. That's why the Children's Defense Fund keeps pushing for policies that will improve the odds for all children and fighting against those that would harm them, as we have for 46 years. And we couldn't do it without you. Click below to see some of the ways your support helped us defend children this year.
10. More than 12,000 children in need developed reading skills and self-esteem at CDF Freedom Schools® across the country.
9. More children will be kept safely with their families and out of foster care thanks to a technical guide we created with our partners to support states and agencies implementing the Family First Prevention Services Act.
8. Hundreds of teens stood up against the gun violence epidemic when they hand-delivered copies of CDF's new Protect Children, Not Guns report to Capitol Hill.
New Year, New Books!
As we head into 2020, Marian Wright Edelman is sharing her list of must-read books for children and young adults. When you buy these high-quality, culturally relevant books from the Children's Defense Fund, you're supporting our work to better the odds for children with every purchase you make!
Advocating for All Children
The Children's Defense Fund is constantly pushing for policies that will better the odds for all children and fighting against those that would harm them. Here are some of the ways we've been looking out for children this month:
Children's Defense Fund-Texas released a new report on civic education, engagement, and empowerment among young Texans.
We called on lawmakers in Congress to address vaccine hesitancy and take steps to reverse the recent rise in vaccine-preventable diseases.
We highlighted two bills currently in the US House of Representatives that would address this country's urgent crisis of maternal mortality--particularly among Black women.
We condemned another attempt by the Trump Administration to take food away from hungry families by tying time limits and work requirements to SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps).
Ways to Change the Odds for Children This Holiday Season
Any gift that you can make this holiday season will help us improve the odds for all children. Did you know there are multiple ways to support the Children's Defense Fund?
For example, if you are 70.5 or older and you have a traditional IRA, you are eligible to make a tax-free donation called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA. Click to learn more.
Other ways to give: Click to learn more about stock gifts, donor-advised funds, employer matching, and legacy giving.
Almost 500,000 Children without Answers
Tonight we'll once again see the Democratic candidates for president step onto the debate stage, and we'll be listening for a question about child poverty. The first caucus of the Democratic primary is just 46 days away and will kick off a packed month where voters will cast their ballots for the Democratic nominee in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina. But will voters have to make that important decision without knowing each candidate's plans to end child poverty?
Almost 500,000 children live in poverty in those four states, and we believe they--and children across the country--deserve answers. Add your name to the petition if you agree.
Child Watch Roundup
In a Child Watch column shared this month, Marian Wright Edelman remembered a great civil rights lawyer, state representative, and personal friend, John W. Walker.
Be sure to look for a new Child Watch column every Friday afternoon.
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