The Children’s Defense Fund is proud to launch this year's National Day of Social Action on July 13 in coordination with CDF Freedom Schools® partners across the country. There are 151 CDF Freedom Schools sites, in 87 cities across 27 states. This year’s National Day of Social Action is focused on the urgent need to stop proposed cuts in federal education programs that benefit millions of children throughout America.

On this National Day of Social Action, young leaders and their CDF Freedom Schools students are hosting “teach-ins” for community members, policymakers, advocates, and parents about the looming federal budget cuts that pose a huge threat to public education and great harm to children.  For instance, the Ryan budget recently passed by the House of Representatives would roll back education and early education funding to 2008 levels, cut Pell Grants by as much as $126 billion (more than $800 per grant), and slash $770 billion from health care funding that protects one in three children—all while giving $4.2 trillion in tax breaks for millionaires, billionaires, and big corporations.  These potential cuts come on top of the local and state cuts that have already hurt our children’s education.

The young leaders and students will embody the CDF Freedom Schools theme: “I Can Make A Difference” by sharing real stories of what these federal budget cuts would mean to them.  They will engage the community to take action by writing letters to their congressional lawmakers, urging them to protect children from all budget cuts and to invest in early childhood development and education to strengthen America’s economic future.  Please join them in standing up for children! To take part in the July 13 National Day of Social Action, please contact Chris Glaros at 614-222-0390 or cglaros@childrensdefense.org.

Find out if there is a day of social action planned near you by contacting one of the CDF Freedom Schools sites across the country.