Children's Defense Fund

Join Us: Conference Call This Tuesday with CDF President Marian Wright Edelman

CDF is calling on advocates around the country to step up and join the Champions for Children’s Health Stroller Brigade, a series of events around the country calling on Congress to be a champion for children. They must make sure that our children are not worse off, but are better off as a result of national health care reform. Speaker Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco is in a powerful position to ensure children get the comprehensive, affordable, seamless health coverage they need. Thus, among the events held around the country, one will be held in San Francisco the weekend of November 7 and 8. This is a critical opportunity to raise your voice for children so please check our website for time, location, and ways to get involved.

You can take the first step by joining a National Conference Call with CDF President Marian Wright Edelman on October 20 to discuss these fast approaching events and how you or your organization can get involved. RSVP for this important call today and spread the word widely.

CDF recently released its annual Protect Children, Not Guns report in conjunction with the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the news is bad: After a decade of decline prior to 2005, the number of firearm deaths among children and teens increased for the second year in a row. CDF's report shows that every two hours and 45 minutes a child or teen is killed by a gun. That's almost nine children and teens each day and 61 every week.

California had more shooting deaths of children than any other state in the nation: 511 gun deaths of children in 2006, up from 474 in 2005. More children died from firearm deaths in California in 2006 than in New York, Texas and Arizona combined.

To view charts, read more key findings and learn how to take action on this important issue, visit our website.

Help CDF Win $50,000!

As a friend and supporter, we know you share our passion for improving the lives of children. America’s Giving Challenge  is your chance to help us win an award up to $50,000. You can play a part in bringing about real and lasting change for children in America.

Here's how it works. From October 7 to November 6, we are competing against other non-profits for cash awards based on the number of donations to our cause, not dollars raised. You can donate as little as $10!

Please visit our Cause on Facebook to make a donation and help spread the word to your friends and family!

Congresstional Black Caucus Supports Children's Health Reform

CDF thanks the Congressional Black Caucus Members. Last week 40 members of the Congressional Black Caucus stepped forward for children by sending a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging her to ensure that children will be better off—not worse off—as a result of health care reform. All four California members signed on. Please join CDF-CA in thanking California Representatives Barbara Lee, Diane Watson, Maxine Waters and Laura Richardson for adding their voices to make sure that the needs of California children are not overlooked in the midst of the national health care reform debate.

Oh Come All Ye Faithful! Join Thousands of Faith Communities for Change!

This weekend faith communities throughout California are joining thousands of others across the country in renewing their commitment to child advocacy by holding a National Observance of Children's Sabbaths^® celebration. It's not too late to plan activities at your place of worship. To assist your faith community in planning an event, CDF provides a multi-faith resource manual, Create Change for Children Today: Bring Hope and a Better Tomorrow.

Order or download this indispensable resource today! Now is the time for people of faith to step forward and raise their voices to help secure a brighter, healthier future for all children.

Visit CDF-CA's website to learn more about the 18th Annual National Observance of Children's Sabbaths celebration and to find out how your faith community can participate.

L.A. Beat the Odds^® Applications Now Available. Apply Today!

Applications are now available online for the 2010 Los Angeles Beat the Odds scholarship program, which honors outstanding high school students who have overcome tremendous adversity, demonstrated academic excellence and given back to their community. Los Angeles County high school juniors are invited to apply via nomination by a teacher, counselor, caseworker, coach or other adult who can speak to the nominee's character, academic success and community service, despite tremendous obstacles the student must work to overcome every day. If selected, honorees receive a scholarship for college or other post-secondary training as well as a host of support services.

Nomination packets are available online and must be received or postmarked no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 20. Don’t wait, apply today!

Leadership Training for Young Adults

Earlier this month, 38 young adults from across California participated in part two of the California Cradle to Prison Pipeline^® Young Leaders Training series sponsored by The California Endowment. These young leaders attended CDF's national Young Advocates Leadership Training (YALT^®) program held at CDF Haley Farm in Clinton, Tennessee. Participants took part in programs such as an Underground Railroad simulation and an activity to help them recognize their capacities to dismantle the prison pipeline. Participants developed regional goals and action plans on how to create and implement alternatives to the prison pipeline, and will implement their plans beginning this month. The final event of this three-part training series will be held at the end of January 2010 in California.

Visit our website to learn more about this exciting program and to view photos from this training.