Press Releases

LOS ANGELES Children's Defense Fund President Marian Wright Edelman joined celebrities today to honor the success of five Los Angeles area high school students who have overcome major obstacles in their lives and persevered to "beat the odds." Funds raised from the evening awards ceremony provided these young people with college scholarships and will help the Children's Defense Fund's Los Angeles office expand its work to improve the lives of children in southern California.

A child in California is abused or neglected every 4 minutes; is born into poverty every 5 minutes; dies before his/her first birthday every 3 hours; and is killed by gunfire every 22 hours, according to an analysis by the Children's Defense Fund.

Edelman noted that protections for all children should be expanded and improved, especially at a time of economic downturn, so that all children can beat the odds.

"Today, we can extend the American dream of our forefathers and foremothers to every child and family," said Edelman. "We have the know-how, the experience, the tools, and the resources. And we have the responsibility as mothers, fathers, grandparents, and concerned and sensible people across the country to make sure that every child can beat the odds."

Among those honored today is Osvaldo Angel of El Monte, Calif., who endured homelessness and economic upheaval to earn a 3.64 grade point average in school. Angel believes in working hard for his family and community. Today he participates in the One Way Club, Junior Club and the badminton club, and serves as a member of the Teacher Preparation Academy.

Allison Bellew of Studio City, Calif., attends North Hollywood High School Zoological and Biological Sciences Magnet, where she plays saxophone and served as editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, despite being abandoned by her mother when she was in the fourth grade and having a father who has been unable to care for her.

Victor Maldonado of Carson, Calif., helped his mother survive cancer, endured the murder of his father, and cared for his grandmother and younger brother who has Downs Syndrome. Maldonado worked hard at school and his part-time job and also found time to be a staff writer at his school newspaper.

Seth Martino of West Covina, Calif., attended eight different schools during the sixth and seventh grades, while his parents were taken over by substance abuse and addiction. Martino was placed in foster care, where he lived in five different locations before finding the one place he could call home. Martino helped found the West Covina High School's Robotics Team, received the Rotary Youth Leadership Award, and was selected for the highly acclaimed West Covina Showchoir despite these challenges.

Tina Taylor of Los Angeles, Calif., lost both of her parents and her eldest sister to a murder-suicide domestic violence incident at the age of twelve. Taylor turned her tragedy into a determination to succeed.

Actresses Reese Witherspoon and Jane Kaczmarek, actors Bradley Whitford and Dulé Hill, and L.A. Laker Rick Fox helped present today's awards. Joining them were Bryan Cranston, Donal Logue, Carl Lumbly, Nicole Lyn, Esai Morales, Frankie Muniz and Michael Vartan.

The Children's Defense fund this year celebrates its 30th anniversary working hard to Leave No Child Behind and to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.

The Children's Defense Fund is a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves, paying particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations and has never taken government funds.

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The mission of the Children's Defense Fund is to Leave No Child Behind and to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick, into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown. CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations. We have never taken government funds.