Children's Defense Fund

This weekend, the #CDFOhio team joined A Kid Again - Central Ohio’s Capes & Crowns Walk & Family Fun Fest to support families raising children with terminal or life-threatening conditions. We shared Medicaid resources & created space for families to lift their voices to leaders.

It's #BannedBooksWeek. Last year, the American Library Association documented 821 attempts to censor literature in schools, libraries, and universities. Here's what titles were challenged the most. More: https://bit.ly/47KaPOb

#CDFCA’s Yasmine-Imani McMorrin recently spoke with Spectrum News 1 SoCal's Vania Patino about the Education Justice Coalition’s new report on how Los Angeles County detention halls have failed to provide young people in their care an adequate education. Watch & read: https://bit.ly/3Wqr0ey

Join the #CDFTexas team on October 9th for A Celebration of Joy: Through Their Eyes. Enjoy an inspiring evening showcasing young people through art, performances, and awards recognizing youth leadership and advocacy. Register today: https://bit.ly/480kZwi

"Act Now" | The #CDFMN team, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action - MN, and Protect MN joined local leaders, educators & families in Minnesota today to urge Gov. Tim Walz to call a special session for a statewide ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines: https://bit.ly/3WukuU4

The 2025 National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths® is right around the corner! This year’s theme: Building Beloved Community: A Place for Play & Laughter. Join congregations nationwide in lifting up children through worship, advocacy & joy. Resources: https://bit.ly/46Mth9U

Join us at CDF’s National Celebration of Joy as we honor Congressman Bennie Thompson, an Advocate for Joy! A lifelong champion for HBCUs, he’s worked to ensure students have access to opportunity, equity, and success. Celebrate his legacy with us: https://bit.ly/4gPXUih

Banned Books Week begins today! At Children’s Defense Fund, we believe every young person deserves the freedom to read diverse stories & perspectives. Learn more from Banned Books Week: https://bannedbooksweek.org/

“Children need more than occasional inspiration" | We’re grateful to Dr. LaKeshia N. Myers for highlighting #CDFFreedomSchools in the Milwaukee Courier and Madison Times as a way Black churches can strengthen community outreach. Read her piece here: https://bit.ly/4mLQAFV

Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson recently joined Rev. LaKesha Womack and Dr. Obery Hendricks on The Politics of Jesus Podcast to discuss how America’s political climate is affecting children in poverty. Listen to their full discussion here: https://bit.ly/42YoGiy

What does the future of children’s health look like? Join Richard Besser, President & CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, in conversation with journalist Suzanne Malveaux at the American Youth Policy Forum, in Washington, DC. Don’t miss this important discussion: https://bit.ly/4nCy5Fa

As we mourn the passing of Bobby Cain, a member of the Clinton 12 who integrated Tennessee schools, our friends at the Green McAdoo Center have shared the Cain family will hold a viewing on Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM at First Baptist Church in Clinton. The public may attend.

📸=Green McAdoo Center

Child Watch 2025 recently brought foster and transition-age youth together to lead conversations on systems change. In youth-led panels, the Radical Imagination Fellows also shared their visions on housing, education, & more with the #CDFCA team and others. Take a look.

2025 American Youth Policy Forum, Powered by CDF - Children's Defense Fund This forum will bring together key policymakers, advocates, educators, and CDF staff. Together, we will discuss how national, state, and local policies can better serve young people, particularly thos...

The American Youth Policy Forum will bring child advocates, policymakers and young leaders together in Washington, DC for two days of discussion on how policy can better serve youth and families. Join us in the nation’s capital: bit.ly/4nCy5Fa

Join the #CDFTexas team on October 9th for A Celebration of Joy: Through Their Eyes. Be there for an evening centering children, with art, performances, and awards honoring youth advocacy and community leadership. Register now: https://bit.ly/480kZwi

Whether it’s breaking policy news or stories of joy from #CDFFreedomSchools, we’re here to connect and inspire. Follow us to stay engaged and keep fighting for children.

Join the #CDFTexas team on October 9th for A Celebration of Joy: Through Their Eyes. Be there for an evening centering children, with art, performances, and awards honoring youth advocacy and community leadership. Register now: https://bit.ly/480kZwi

The deadline is Monday to sponsor a #CDFFreedomSchools site in your community. Together we can create spaces where young people thrive! Copy the links below!

New partners: https://www.tfaforms.com/5078710
Returning partners: https://www.tfaforms.com/5078974

Apply by Monday to sponsor a #CDFFreedomSchools site in your community. Join us as we build community to ensure young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy! Copy the links below!

New partners: https://www.tfaforms.com/5078710
Returning partners: https://www.tfaforms.com/5078975

Join Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson tomorrow with Dr. Obery Hendricks and Rev. LaKesha Womack on The Politics of Jesus Podcast as they discuss how America’s political climate is affecting children in poverty. Listen live at 7 pm EST: https://bit.ly/480svav

We're still feeling the impact of last week's Celebration of Joy in Columbus. The #CDFOhio team came together to honor youth advocates and lawmakers who are helping to create brighter futures for young people across the Buckeye State. Take a look back at the highlights.

"Our children are waiting." | The #CDFMN team submitted a letter to the Minnesota Senate Gun Violence Prevention Working Group urging action to make the state's communities safer for children after the shooting at Annunciation Church. Read the full letter: https://bit.ly/46EE19i

The #CDFTexas team joined Unidos US & 40+ orgs urging federal lawmakers to act after a SCOTUS ruling enabling racial profiling, paired with unlawful military deployments, continues to threaten the civil rights of Black & Brown young people nationwide. Read: https://bit.ly/3Iy8ZaU

The deadline to apply to sponsor a CDF Freedom Schools site in your community is Monday. Don't miss this opportunity to bring joy & empowerment to young people in your area.

New partner application: https://www.tfaforms.com/5078710
Returning partner application: https://www.tfaforms.com/5078974

We're saddened to learn of the passing of Bobby Cain, a member of the Clinton 12 who integrated TN schools. Just last week, our Black Student Leadership Network ambassadors visited the Green McAdoo Cultural Center in Clinton to learn about their legacy: https://bit.ly/48rWZ5q

📸 = Green McAdoo

The Black Student Leadership Network Conference has wrapped up at #CDFHaleyFarm! Students from across the country met in Tennessee to build lifelong connections with their fellow organizers. Take a look! #CDFbsln

The 2025 National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths® celebration is Oct. 17-19.

Theme: Building Beloved Community: A Place for Play & Laughter

Join congregations nationwide in honoring children through worship, advocacy, and joy.

Resources: bit.ly/46Mth9U

Child Watch 2025 is coming to LA on Sept. 25. Join us for a youth-centered day of storytelling, community, and systems change. Be part of the work to advance justice for children and youth across California. Register: https://bit.ly/4nupTWH

The #CDFMN team is proud to join 60+ orgs, led by Children’s Minnesota, urging lawmakers to pass common-sense gun laws and invest in mental health after the Annunciation Church and School shooting. Read the letter: https://bit.ly/4gvuXrH

What a night in Columbus! The #CDFOhio team loved celebrating public education as a public good alongside youth advocates from across Ohio during our Celebration of Joy. Thank you to everyone who joined us!