Policy in action is a distinguishing CDF characteristic. Through nationwide initiatives and community-based programs, we plant the seeds to develop the next generation of servant-leaders who will continue to reweave the fabric of community for children and youth. Our vision is to create a successor generation of servant-leaders who will drive community and national transformations and inspire and make long-term improvements for children.

CDF's National Office Beat the Odds^® Awards Dinner 

On November 15, 2011, CDF hosted its annual Beat the Odds awards dinner in Washington, D.C. to celebrate and honor five inspiring young people from the Washington, D.C., area with a scholarship to attend college. These five students have overcome tremendous challenges to beat the odds and excel academically.

Learn more about this year’s scholarship recipients.

Are You Looking for an Exciting and Meaningful Internship?

CDF offers internships in its national and state offices in a variety of areas including policy, communications, finance, and CDF's Freedom Schools^® program. Interns are essential to CDF's operations and previous CDF interns have gone on to lead national and international organizations, be elected to federal and municipal government, found and run nonprofits and change the lives of children in amazing ways.

Learn more about CDF's internship program and apply today!

CDF Trains Young Adults in Community Organizing

In 2010, young adults from across the country attended the 2010 Young Advocate Leadership Training (YALT^®) program at CDF Haley Farm. The training focused on organizing communities and campuses around health care reform in 2010, especially health care reform for children. Participants developed their own customized action plans to organize a variety of activities to support health reform such as meeting with elected officials, letter writing campaigns, petition drives, rallies and collecting personal stories to deliver to elected officials. Learn more about the YALT program.