The Black Community Crusade for Children

Since the beginning, the Children’s Defense Fund has been a strong, effective and independent voice for all children. We pay particular attention to the most vulnerable; poor and minority children, and children with disabilities. As we approach Black History Month, we must as a nation confront the reality that Black children are disproportionately falling behind and dropping out of school, at-risk of becoming a victim of violence, and of being funneled into the prison pipeline leading to dead-end lives.

Earlier this month, CDF joined Black leaders and organizations serving Black children to launch the second phase of the Black Community Crusade for Children. The campaign, initially launched in 1990, produced many solutions including the CDF Freedom Schools^® program, the Harlem Children’s Zone, and PolicyLink. Visit the new Black Community Crusade for Children portion of our Web site and access our new Portrait of Inequality 2011 report comparing Black children to White children, read the results from a national survey on the State of Black Children and Families and watch the video of children talking about the challenges they face. Watch and share videos of key Black thought leaders addressing the problems and talking about solutions. Please sign-up to join the crusade to save our children, encourage your friends to join, and check back often as we will be updating the site with more videos, action alerts and best practices.

Health Reform Benefits Children

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which gave millions of children and young adults access to affordable health coverage. Repeal of this landmark legislation would restore the ability of insurance companies to discriminate against children with pre-existing conditions, allow states to drastically cut eligibility for low income children covered by Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and strip young adults of the ability to get health coverage through their parents policies. Read Marian Wright Edelman’s recent Child Watch® Column, “Health Reform Under Threat” to learn more about what repealing health reform legislation would mean for children and families.

To help us protect the gains for children and families in the Affordable Care Act, we need to hear from you! Every person has a story—please share yours with us. Has Medicaid or CHIP helped your family afford health coverage during a difficult time? Has your child been able to get the health care he or she needs to stay healthy and stay in school through Medicaid or CHIP? Has your family been able to get health coverage for a child with a pre-existing condition or are you a young adult with health insurance as a result of the Affordable Care Act? Your stories will help us demonstrate the importance of health coverage and the dire consequences of repealing health care reform. Click here to share your story.

You Helped Us Reach Our Goal!

Last December, we asked you to help us reach our goal of raising $150,000 through online donations. The goal was ambitious, and in the 11th hour on December 31st, many of you stepped forward and we not only met our goal, we surpassed it! Our heartfelt thank you to all who contributed, your donations will help us ensure a level playing field for every child in 2011 and beyond.

Introducing the Rev. Shannon Daley-Harris

The CDF family is proud to announce the ordination of CDF’s longtime Religious Action Advisor, Shannon Daley-Harris. Since 1990, Rev. Daley-Harris has dedicated herself to building a strong faith-based child advocacy movement, establishing the multi-faith National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths in 1992 and since 1995 directing the Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry. She has always worked in concert with other faith traditions, recognizing that all religions live up to a divine mandate to care for and protect children. Shannon was ordained this past weekend as a Minister in Word and Sacrament during a ceremony at the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. We are so very proud of all the work Shannon has accomplished over the years for children and look forward to the work that is still to come. Join Rev. Daley-Harris and other faith leaders at this year’s Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry at CDF Haley Farm, July 18-22, 2011.

Books of Meditation and Purpose

With a new year ahead, we could all use the fresh perspective that meditation offers. CDF’s online store offers two volumes of prayers and meditations written by Marian Wright Edelman. With large print collage artwork by Bryan Collier, I’m Your Child, God is a favorite among the children! To open the eyes of adults, you may want to review Guide My Feet: Prayers and Meditations on Loving and Working For Children, which is available in paperback or hardcover. You’ll find blessings to share at group meetings, and ideas to start conversations about the challenges that are before us.