by Virginia Sowers, ChildFund Community Manager
Yesterday, we began our reflection on 10 positive achievements for vulnerable children in the past year. Here are five more ways ChildFund, through the support of its sponsors and donors, made a difference in 2010.
6. Recognizing that the ongoing economic crisis is also negatively impacting children in the United States, ChildFund renewed its focus on programs for children and youth in some of the most impoverished counties in America. We are partnering with communities to ensure vulnerable children are protected and have access to after-school programs and psychosocial support. It’s now possible to sponsor a child in the U.S. through the ChildFund website.
The Power to Play
7. To demonstrate how children face adversity with creativity and passion, ChildFund’s traveling exhibit of toys handmade by children around the world continued its U.S. tour this year. The Power to Play: From Trash to Treasure began 2010 in L.A. and Atlanta, making subsequent stops at the Denver Press Club, New World Stages in New York City and the Idaho State Historical Museum. Through our work with early childhood education, we know that play is a critical component in a child’s healthy development.
8. When emergencies strike around the world, we are heartened by the generosity of supporters who are passionate about helping children. Recognizing the increasing mobility of our supporters, ChildFund developed a mobile version of its website to improve 24/7 access to the latest news and updates. The mobile site’s text-to-give donation feature is especially efficient when urgent funding is needed for children affected by a natural disaster or civil unrest. Try it out on your mobile phone by texting THRIVE to 90999.Your $10 tax-deductible donation for children’s greatest needs will be just in time for this tax year.
9. To improve the lives of vulnerable children from birth to age 2, ChildFund partnered with the University of North Carolina’s Gillings School of Global Public Health to form an Innovation Lab. The program, which will draw on the expertise of UNC faculty and students, will make a huge impact on children’s lives during their most critical period of growth and development.
10. To protect children whose situations have become more perilous in the global economic downturn, ChildFund launched the 100 Days of Yes campaign in October to increase the number of child sponsors. For less than $1 a day, sponsors can lift a child from extreme poverty and help them thrive. More than 3,000 people have answered the call to sponsor a child – and for that commitment we are grateful. Thank you.
