Have a Heart for Kids Day is your day to speak up for kids. Right now, your voice matters. Join hundreds of child, youth, and family advocates from across Washington state and speak up for kids!
Wednesday, November 30 – The first week of Special Session will have a memorable closing day on Friday in Olympia, when hundreds of kids, parents, and advocates stand together at Children’s Alliance’s Have a Heart for Kids Day: 2011 Special Session. This will culminate in a rally with parent and youth speakers, and a Proclamation by the Children of Washington released and delivered to legislators.
You are invited to join with parents and advocates in Walla Walla to learn what's at stake for kids in the state budget, share how your family is affected by the recession and budget cuts, and find out how you can take action for kids and families.
Legislators will return to Olympia for a special session to balance the budget starting November 28th. Our elected leaders are considering drastic cuts that could undo decades of progress, slam shut doors of opportunity,
and leave kids and families on a path toward terrible losses.
You are invited to join with parents and advocates in South King County to speak up for kids and join in a discussion with Washington State Representative Pat Sullivan. Your voice is critical now.
Por favor acompáñenos en una reunión comunitaria de Children's Alliance. Unirse con otros madres y padres, intercesores, promotoras, y miembros de la Alianza para los Ninos para hacerse una voz unida en pro de nuestras niños.
Read this release in English.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2010 – A report released Monday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that hunger in Washington is taking a higher toll on families in 2009 than in previous years. Since the economic recession took root in the state in 2008, the number of Washington families struggling to put food on the table has spiked.
The number of Washington households that are food insecure, meaning they struggle to afford enough nutritious food, rose from 288,000 to 367,000 in 2009, a 27 percent increase over the prior year. The rise in households that are hungry was even more striking: 152,200 Washington households met the definition for hunger (called “very low food insecurity” in the report), up 40,200 or 36 percent.
Children's Alliance Executive Director Paola Maranan authored an Op-Ed published in the Seattle Times on Sunday, November 7th, 2010. She makes the case that Congress should protect funding for Working Connections Child Care by passing the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Contingency Fund. The article makes it clear that failing to protect the Working Connections child care and employment program can only hurt kids, families, and the Washington state's economic recovery.
Deputy Director Jon Gould was featured on the TVW program Inside Olympia on November 11th. He called upon legislators to protect kids during these difficult economic times.
Watch a clip below, or see the full program on the TVW website.
Join with advocates for kids in Spokane to power up for the coming legislative session.
You are invited to join Children's Alliance members, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, and state lawmakers from your area for a discussion about the needs of kids and families during these tough times.
The End Childhood Hunger Washington Powerful Partners Summit is a one-day summit of advocates, parents, and providers focusing on the goal of ending childhood hunger by 2015.
In 2008, after bringing advocates, policy makers and community leaders together, we released the Strategic Plan to End Childhood Hunger in Washington.
Advocacy Camp is a three-day interactive training that will equip you with the leadership skills to be an effective child advocate.