Will you invest in children? – Dec 15, 2023

 

GUN VIOLENCE DEMANDS WE DO MORE FOR CHILDREN

We know there are so many great causes to support, but where can you find an organization that produces an astonishing $131 return for kids for every dollar donated?


Children First is improving kids’ lives by enacting state and local reforms and securing massive new investments in schools and other services.

We don’t do this work alone. It requires thousands of advocates who give of their time and talent to fight for children’s lives.

Maritza Guridy was held up at gunpoint when two young men stole her car. The obvious response from a crime victim is to demand her attackers be locked up. Maritza sees it differently. She shares our conviction for adopting better policies that interrupt the ineffective practices of the justice system that are inherently unfair to Black boys.|

An outspoken member of our Parents Empowered for Change program, Maritza learned how to amplify her voice and hone her own advocacy skills to reform the juvenile justice system. As an active leader in our Kids Campaign, she told mayor-elect Parker:

“There’s a real opportunity here to rethink the juvenile justice system. Kids sometimes make mistakes and mistakes are just that. They should be held accountable and should have the opportunity to learn from that so they can do better…The current system is sending the wrong message and it’s not setting them on the right path…We need to make sure kids can, as much as possible, get resources in their communities and stay in school where they can continue their education.”

We strive every day to better kids’ lives through relentless, smart advocacy and action. We believe that the intractable problems that harm children – though challenging – are solvable.

Your support of Children First empowers citizens like Maritza to demand change. Your donation will give us the resources we need so that thousands of others we engage with can increase their influence and show policymakers that they must meet the urgent needs of children, now.


Thank you in advance for your generous support and for your consideration this year. You can donate online at www.childrenfirstpa.org/donate.
 Thank you for your support.

Call on the Basic Education Funding Commission to recommend full funding of public education.

Tell the members that you expect a full report outlining a roadmap to address the growing, unconstitutional $6.2 billion funding gap.

Rising Pharmaceuticals, a drug company with the U.S. monopoly on a lead poisoning medicine, hiked the price from $3,500 to $32,000. Hospitals can’t afford to keep it in stock so in rare but serious instances of severe lead poisoning in little children – resulting in seizures, coma and brain swelling – emergency treatment is delayed.

Join an online info session about the Justice In Education (JIE) Fellowship, a free program for young people to learn how to be powerful advocates for public education and engage in the lawmaking process. 

The info sessions will outline the program, time commitments, financial support, and application process. Register here.

The first time ever in Pennsylvania, paid
family leave legislation is on the verge of
passing the state House of Representatives.
House Republicans and Democrats voted
for The Family Care Act (HB 181), putting
this important bill on track to move to the
Senate when the PA Legislature reconvenes.

=