Charity Week; Day Four Children's/Youth Organizations

There are so many worthy organizations doing good for the children of the world, it was hard to pick just a few to focus on.  There are those dedicated to child protection, those trying to help the children of the world through sponsorship programs, and those committed to youth development.

We'll start with the child protection organizations.

Children's Defense Fund:
Their mission is to "Leave No Child Behind"^®  to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. 

CDF provides a voice for all America's children, paying particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. They also educate about the needs of children and encourage preventive measures before they get sick, drop out of school, get into trouble or suffer family breakdown.  Here's where you can donate.

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program:
The Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, to distribute as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community.  By doing this, they hope to deliver a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.  They have many different ways you can donate.  Click here to find out more.




The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:
The NCMEC's mission is to serve as the nation’s resource on the issues of missing and sexually exploited children. The organization provides information and resources to law enforcement, parents, children, including child victims as well as other professionals. Donate here.  You can also visit their website to find out other ways to get involved.

Children in the U.S. and all over the world live impoverished, marginalized and vulnerable to harm and illness.   Your sponsorship can provide a pair of shoes, a meal, or much needed medical care.  Here are some sponsorship sites to help you get started.

Children Incorporated:

Children, Incorporated provides resources for children in need internationally. They

envision a world in which each child has the education, resources and opportunity to build a better life.  Click here to find out how you can make a difference.

Christian Foundation for Children and Aging: 

The CFCA provides personal attention and direct benefits to children, youth, aging and their families so they may live with dignity, achieve their desired potential and participate fully in society.  They invite people of good will to live in daily solidarity with the world’s poor through one-to-one sponsorship.  They build community by fostering relationships of mutual respect, understanding and support that are culturally diverse, empowering and without religious or other prejudice.  Grounded in the Gospel call to serve the poor, CFCA is a lay Catholic organization working with persons of all faith traditions to create a worldwide community of compassion and service.  There are many ways to get involved with the CFCA.  Click here to find out how.


Save the Children:
Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organization for children.
Their vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation.  Their mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.  Click here to donate, here to sponsor.

And here are some programs designed to keep our children education and help them gain the confidence they need to reach their full potential in life.  

Big Brothers and Sisters:
The mission of Big Brothers and Sisters is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a  measurable impact on youth.  Learn how to donate here.  Volunteer to be a big brother or sister here.

Scholarship America:
Scholarship America is a national education service organization that mobilizes support for students getting into and graduating from college. Since 1958, Scholarship America has distributed more than $2.4 billion in scholarship assistance to more than 1.7 million students.  They let you decide where your money goes, whether it goes where it's most needed, to support initiatives to support students, to your regional office, local chapter, for those who lost family in the 9/11 attacks, or for those with unexpected financial burdens that would otherwise not allow them to stay in school.  Click here to donate.

Girl Scouts of the USA:
The Girl Scouts is the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls—all girls—where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives, like leadership, strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.  Always want to be a girl scout leader?  Click here.  To donate, click here.

Boy Scouts of America:
The Boy Scouts is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.  Click here to volunteer your time, here to donate.



Please come back tomorrow when we talk about the charities we personally donate to and other local organizations that could use your help.