Background
The Children's Defense Fund (CDF), founded by Marian Wright Edelman in 1973 and located in Washington, D.C., supports many programs designed to help families with children living in poverty throughout the United States.

Biblical/Theological Dimensions
A great diversity of religious groups and individuals support CDF. The call of many religions to protect children is reflected in the CDF motto and logo,"Dear Lord, be good to me; the sea is so wide and my boat is so small." The current annual program, "Say That I'm a Child of God," offers National Observances of Children's Sabbath materials for the use of all faiths in a special Sabbath worship service honoring children.

What Can Presbyterian Women Do?

Sign up for Action Alerts from the CDF Action Council.

Learn about pending legislation that affects children. Enter your ZIP code to email your senators, representatives and President Bush on many issues that relate to children and families.

Contact your congressional representation in Washington, D.C. Use Wednesdays in Washington and Wednesdays at Home, a process developed by CDF to enable citizens to share their concerns with representatives in meetings, letters, emails or phone calls.

Sign up for Presbyterian Justice and Peace Action Alerts or call Leigh Harper, administrative assistant for women's advocacy, (888) 728-7228, x5385.

Pray for the poor in the United States and abroad, especially for children in poverty.

Check out the Presbyterian Washington Office's Women and Families Network.

Share your concerns with Presbyterian Women. Talk with women in your congregation and email PW's national offices in Louisville, Kentucky, or call (888) 728-7228, x5365.

Resources

Presbyterian Child Advocacy Office. Contact Terri Gilmore, email or (888) 728-7228, x8100.

Presbyterian Child Advocacy Network (PCAN) is a ministry of Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA). Call (888) 728-7728, x5800.

The following materials are available from the Children's Defense Fund, 25 E Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001; (202) 628-8787.

• The State of America's Children 2004; $15.95 plus shipping
• Holding Children in Prayer: An Advent Guide. free download
• Holding Children in Prayer: A Lenten Guide. free download
• Where Is America Going? free download

The CDF Web site also offers background materials on key sections of the Act to Leave No Child Behind: S.448, H.R. 1936), legislation introduced by Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Representative George Miller (D-CA).

The 2005 Access Sunday packet, produced by Presbyterians for Disability Concerns (PDC) focuses on children with disabilities.

The 2004 Domestic Violence Awareness packet focused on children witnessing domestic violence.