All About GFWC Juniors Special Program: Advocates for Children (One Voice for Children in Florida)

GFWC Juniors’ Special Program: Advocates for Children (One Voice for Children in Florida) is designed to encourage all clubs to make a difference in our world by becoming advocates for children. Clubs may choose to organize projects that benefit children in their community, state, or world. 

While project ideas are numerous, clubs are encouraged to educate themselves     regarding current issues facing our children: child abuse, health issues, poverty, cyberbullying, teen dating violence, child obesity, texting while driving, depression and suicide, etc. 

We have partnered with  organizations that advocate on behalf of children every-where-  March of Dimes and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

IDEAS

• Blankets for Babies– donate new or gently used blankets to shelters  or local police
• Donate to or participate in your area for the March for Babies in the spring.
• Advocates for Children ‘Juice Box’ Challenge: Challenge clubs to donate at least one juice box per member to  their local Child Advocacy Centers (CAC).  Juice boxes help CAC staff build rapport with children as they discuss difficult issues.
• The program Capes for Heroes provides capes for children with  disabilities, life threatening illnesses and kids that just need to be empowered. The capes give deserving children an  extra boost of strength and courage to make them feel like the  superheroes they are.
• GFWC has declared the fourth week in October as GFWC Advocates for Children Week.-planning events related to the Juniors’ Special Program. Try a new project or a previously successful one. It’s up to you! Consider your club’s interests and community needs.  Contact your Governor/Mayor to request they proclaim this week as “GFWC Advocates for Children Week” for your state/city.  Sunday, October 22 - Saturday, October 28, 2017
• Make our voices heard on Capitol Hill and in state houses across the country. Become an eAdvocate, get informed, and take action to improve the health of women, infants and children. Sign-up today at marchofdimes.org/advocacy and select “Take Action”.
• This year, parents of nearly 16,000 children in the U.S. will hear the words: “Your child has cancer.” One in five of those children won’t survive. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and as a leader in the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will focus on raising awareness and funds for this very important issue.