Join us for A National Celebration of Joy.
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We envision a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well-being, and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive.
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Join us for the American Youth Policy Forum.
Powered by Children’s Defense Fund, the American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF) gathers policymakers, advocates, non-profit leaders, and educators for a two-day convening focused on the impact of politics and policy on America’s children and young people. Come be a part of this informative and inspiring space November 5 and 6.
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National Observance of Children's Sabbaths® October 19, 2025
Join places of worship, faith-based organizations, and child advocates across the country for the 2025 National Observance of Children's Sabbaths®, an annual celebration that brings together people of every faith to raise a moral voice for justice and hope for children.
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We Owe them Peace of Mind
I spent most of the month of May on the road. From community celebrations with our state office and civil rights partners in New York, to stops on the State of the People Tour in Newark, Detroit, and Richmond, to keynotes and commencement addresses in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Baltimore.
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Policy Brief: Expanded Child Tax Credit as a Key Anti-Poverty & Child Welfare Prevention Strategy
Children’s Defense Fund and Chapin Hall are collaborating to advance evidence-based strategies that strengthen child and family well-being. This brief focuses on the promise of making permanent the pandemic-era expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC).
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CDF Haley Farm
Named for author and activist Alex Haley, CDF Haley Farm in Clinton, TN, is a sacred and safe space for facilitating movement-building moments and training opportunities for prioritizing joy, pursuing justice, and promoting rest as resistance. Explore the rich history of Haley Farm and consider hosting your next event there!
Learn MoreRecent News
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“The America That Is Yet to Come”
This month marked the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the historic legislation President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law at the U.S. Capitol with many of the Democratic and Republican lawmakers who had helped secure its large bipartisan victory and civil rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lewis, and Mrs. Rosa Parks, by his side.…
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Holding a Vision
A few months before the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s official opening in September 2016, Dr. Rex M. Ellis, the museum’s founding Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs, spoke to college-aged servant-leaders who were preparing to teach in Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools® summer programs. …
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Immigration
Defend Birthright Citizenship for All Children Born in Texas
On his first day back in office, President Trump announced Executive Order 14160,i which purports to end birthright citizenship for certain children born in the U.S. Under this order, a child would be denied citizenship at birth if their father is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and their mother is either unlawfully or temporarily present in the U.S. …
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A Solemn Anniversary
This week was the solemn 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used in war. …
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Find a CDF Freedom Schools® Site
At CDF Freedom Schools, we’re not just educating. We’re nurturing lifelong learners and advocates for progress. We’re sculpting a brighter tomorrow where we celebrate every young person’s potential, and affirming their impact on the world is profound. Find a CDF Freedom Schools site near you.
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Subscribe to “For Our Children”
Sign up to receive the weekly column by Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson.
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CDF’s President and CEO, Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, shares insights, challenges, and hopes for the future in “For Our Children.”CDF’s President and CEO, Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, offers a personal perspective on challenges, victories, and the path ahead in “For Our Children.” Delve into a unique narrative that guides our mission, celebrates milestones, and navigates the journey toward a brighter tomorrow. Explore now for an inside connection to our vision—where the story of our commitment to children and youth unfolds.
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