Children's Defense Fund
@cdf1973.bsky.social
Children’s Defense Fund builds community so young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy!
Organizations serving families should reflect the nation’s diversity. At CDF, we hold diversity as sacred, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, where CDF President & CEO Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson also serves as Board Chair, shares that belief. Read more on why this matters: https://bit.ly/4t69BHm
January 28, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Organizations serving families should reflect the nation’s diversity. At CDF, we hold diversity as sacred, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, where CDF President & CEO Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson also serves as Board Chair, shares that belief. Read more on why this matters: https://bit.ly/4t69BHm
Contact your Senators now! Urge them to vote NO on any additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security this year. We demand meaningful regulations, transparency, and accountability for ICE NOW!
January 28, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Contact your Senators now! Urge them to vote NO on any additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security this year. We demand meaningful regulations, transparency, and accountability for ICE NOW!
TOMORROW | We’re joining Faith in Action in Washington, DC, to take action. We’re calling on senators to stand with the people and vote NO on additional funding for ICE and Border Patrol this year. Join us as we demand transparency. Learn more & register: https://bit.ly/4akBns7
January 28, 2026 at 6:16 PM
TOMORROW | We’re joining Faith in Action in Washington, DC, to take action. We’re calling on senators to stand with the people and vote NO on additional funding for ICE and Border Patrol this year. Join us as we demand transparency. Learn more & register: https://bit.ly/4akBns7
We’re already gearing up for another amazing #CDFFreedomSchools summer! Our partner sites' executive and program directors recently gathered at Alex Haley Farm in Clinton, Tennessee for our annual orientation. Take a look at this joyful training to support America's young people!
January 28, 2026 at 3:00 PM
We’re already gearing up for another amazing #CDFFreedomSchools summer! Our partner sites' executive and program directors recently gathered at Alex Haley Farm in Clinton, Tennessee for our annual orientation. Take a look at this joyful training to support America's young people!
TOMORROW | #CDFTexas and The Immigrant Services Network of Austin are coming together for the Free Families Solidarity Vigil at Austin City Hall. On behalf of detained children, we'll stand with advocates working to end family detention and lawmakers demanding accountability. Join us!
January 28, 2026 at 1:40 AM
TOMORROW | #CDFTexas and The Immigrant Services Network of Austin are coming together for the Free Families Solidarity Vigil at Austin City Hall. On behalf of detained children, we'll stand with advocates working to end family detention and lawmakers demanding accountability. Join us!
Early bird registration for #HallProctor2026 is now open! This summer at Alex Haley Farm, we'll gather people of faith, children’s advocates, moral exemplars, and community organizers to “Begin Again!”: https://bit.ly/4a13Cuy
January 27, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Early bird registration for #HallProctor2026 is now open! This summer at Alex Haley Farm, we'll gather people of faith, children’s advocates, moral exemplars, and community organizers to “Begin Again!”: https://bit.ly/4a13Cuy
Season 2 of our Young People Lead podcast premieres next Tuesday! Listen as our #CDFCA Radical Imagination Fellows explore topics from housing and education to youth justice and how they impact foster and transition age youth in Los Angeles. Here's a sneak peak!
January 27, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Season 2 of our Young People Lead podcast premieres next Tuesday! Listen as our #CDFCA Radical Imagination Fellows explore topics from housing and education to youth justice and how they impact foster and transition age youth in Los Angeles. Here's a sneak peak!
#CDFNewYork’s YouthNPower: Transforming Care coalition report shows when young people have access to resources, their mental health thrives! Our team’s Sabah Merchant spoke with Public News Service about what NY must do next to give the state's children the support they need: https://bit.ly/4t0Zmnx
January 26, 2026 at 9:31 PM
#CDFNewYork’s YouthNPower: Transforming Care coalition report shows when young people have access to resources, their mental health thrives! Our team’s Sabah Merchant spoke with Public News Service about what NY must do next to give the state's children the support they need: https://bit.ly/4t0Zmnx
Don’t miss the latest season of Young People Lead, premiering February 3 on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube! Hear from #CDFCA's Radical Imagination Fellows, present-day leaders tackling real challenges and shaping solutions for foster and transition-age youth in Los Angeles County.
January 25, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Don’t miss the latest season of Young People Lead, premiering February 3 on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube! Hear from #CDFCA's Radical Imagination Fellows, present-day leaders tackling real challenges and shaping solutions for foster and transition-age youth in Los Angeles County.
We join the Children’s Thrive Action Network in urging Congress to protect children by stopping additional ICE funding. Trudy Taylor Smith, Esq. of #CDFTexas explains why this matters: https://bit.ly/45mMcY6
January 24, 2026 at 10:06 PM
We join the Children’s Thrive Action Network in urging Congress to protect children by stopping additional ICE funding. Trudy Taylor Smith, Esq. of #CDFTexas explains why this matters: https://bit.ly/45mMcY6
Last week, CDF Public Policy Director Lauren Reliford, MSW, joined SojoAction to discuss how congressional budget cuts affect children and young people. Watch the full conversation here: https://bit.ly/49Vrfow
January 23, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Last week, CDF Public Policy Director Lauren Reliford, MSW, joined SojoAction to discuss how congressional budget cuts affect children and young people. Watch the full conversation here: https://bit.ly/49Vrfow
Season 2 of our Young People Lead podcast premieres February 3! Missed last season? Use this #TBT to catch season 1, Standing on Policy. Episodes are available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube to hear how our youth policy consultants helped transform policy: https://bit.ly/3wtpVcb
January 23, 2026 at 12:01 AM
Season 2 of our Young People Lead podcast premieres February 3! Missed last season? Use this #TBT to catch season 1, Standing on Policy. Episodes are available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube to hear how our youth policy consultants helped transform policy: https://bit.ly/3wtpVcb
“The call for us today is to begin again” | This week, Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson spoke at iUrban Teen's annual MLK Day breakfast in Washington State. Read more about his message and the event here: https://bit.ly/49zxdMM
At Martin Luther King Jr. gatherings in the Pacific Northwest, a call to action
Martin Luther King Jr. day events in Portland and Southwest Washington highlighted MLK's legacy and parallels to today's environment.
www.opb.org
January 21, 2026 at 9:22 PM
“The call for us today is to begin again” | This week, Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson spoke at iUrban Teen's annual MLK Day breakfast in Washington State. Read more about his message and the event here: https://bit.ly/49zxdMM
Season 2 of our Young People Lead podcast premieres Feb. 3! This season features our #CDFCA Radical Imagination Fellows sharing real stories, challenges, and solutions from foster & transition age youth across Los Angeles County. Get to know the young leaders behind this project!
January 20, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Season 2 of our Young People Lead podcast premieres Feb. 3! This season features our #CDFCA Radical Imagination Fellows sharing real stories, challenges, and solutions from foster & transition age youth across Los Angeles County. Get to know the young leaders behind this project!
Today, we remember Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who fought tirelessly for equity and justice for all children in America so that every young person may thrive. Thank you, Dr. King.
January 19, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Today, we remember Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who fought tirelessly for equity and justice for all children in America so that every young person may thrive. Thank you, Dr. King.
Early bird registration opens TOMORROW for the Hall-Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry! Curious but never been? Rev. Trevor Beauford describes a typical day at Hall-Proctor and what makes this convening so meaningful.
January 18, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Early bird registration opens TOMORROW for the Hall-Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry! Curious but never been? Rev. Trevor Beauford describes a typical day at Hall-Proctor and what makes this convening so meaningful.
America's families need reliable childcare supports | Read our response to recent efforts by the Trump administration that seek to freeze funds that support kids, families, and communities. Full statement here: https://bit.ly/45Ti6eI
January 18, 2026 at 12:42 AM
America's families need reliable childcare supports | Read our response to recent efforts by the Trump administration that seek to freeze funds that support kids, families, and communities. Full statement here: https://bit.ly/45Ti6eI
Only 2 days until early bird registration opens for the Hall-Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry! Thinking about joining us? Take a moment to discover all the amazing offerings we provide at Hall-Proctor that make this event so special.
January 17, 2026 at 9:31 PM
Only 2 days until early bird registration opens for the Hall-Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry! Thinking about joining us? Take a moment to discover all the amazing offerings we provide at Hall-Proctor that make this event so special.
This week, the #CDFNY team stood alongside leaders of the #RaiseTheAge Coalition at New York City Hall to denounce proposals that would roll back that critical law protecting young people in the state. Raise the Age is working, and we’re proud of our team’s efforts to defend it. #CDFNY's Jose Perez:
January 17, 2026 at 2:37 AM
This week, the #CDFNY team stood alongside leaders of the #RaiseTheAge Coalition at New York City Hall to denounce proposals that would roll back that critical law protecting young people in the state. Raise the Age is working, and we’re proud of our team’s efforts to defend it. #CDFNY's Jose Perez:
In just 3 days, early bird registration opens for the Hall-Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry! New to Hall-Proctor? Now’s the perfect time to learn about the roles that make this inspiring experience possible. Can you guess who's coming to this year's Hall-Proctor?
January 16, 2026 at 11:31 PM
In just 3 days, early bird registration opens for the Hall-Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry! New to Hall-Proctor? Now’s the perfect time to learn about the roles that make this inspiring experience possible. Can you guess who's coming to this year's Hall-Proctor?
Our #CDFMN leaders spoke with press about how expanded ICE presence and funding cuts impact MN youth. State Dir. Alisha Porter & Sr. Policy Dir. Alexandra Fitzsimmons were joined by local pastors Dr. Billy Charvez Russell & Bishop Richard D. Howell Jr.: https://youtu.be/dTxF9yGBoLw
CDF-Minnesota Press Conference: How ICE Presence, Gun Violence, and Funding Cuts Impact Children
On January 14, Children's Defense Fund-Minnesota (CDF-MN) held a virtual press conference to examine the collective harm facing Minnesota's children amid an expanded presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Twin Cities region an...
youtu.be
January 15, 2026 at 12:37 AM
Our #CDFMN leaders spoke with press about how expanded ICE presence and funding cuts impact MN youth. State Dir. Alisha Porter & Sr. Policy Dir. Alexandra Fitzsimmons were joined by local pastors Dr. Billy Charvez Russell & Bishop Richard D. Howell Jr.: https://youtu.be/dTxF9yGBoLw
You're probably hearing a lot about child care lately. At CDF, we believe child care is a necessity, NOT a luxury. Child care supports development, ensures parents can work or go to school knowing their young one is being cared for, and helps our economies thrive.
January 14, 2026 at 1:07 AM
You're probably hearing a lot about child care lately. At CDF, we believe child care is a necessity, NOT a luxury. Child care supports development, ensures parents can work or go to school knowing their young one is being cared for, and helps our economies thrive.
Join our #CDFOhio team this Friday for the next session in its Fostering Potential series. Learn how Ohio can better support foster youth through K–12 on the path to graduation. Register now: https://bit.ly/3LHw3pm
January 13, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Join our #CDFOhio team this Friday for the next session in its Fostering Potential series. Learn how Ohio can better support foster youth through K–12 on the path to graduation. Register now: https://bit.ly/3LHw3pm
Way to go, Amari'ah Carter! Last week, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias honored the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Freedom School servant leader intern with the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award for her outstanding service. Read more on her achievement: https://bit.ly/4bqti6g
January 12, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Way to go, Amari'ah Carter! Last week, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias honored the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Freedom School servant leader intern with the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award for her outstanding service. Read more on her achievement: https://bit.ly/4bqti6g
CDF President & CEO Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation President Dr. Rich Besser co-authored this op-ed reflecting on the need to protect and listen to America's young people in the face of national public health failures jeopardizing their well-being: https://bit.ly/4qR9Owf
January 11, 2026 at 11:10 PM
CDF President & CEO Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation President Dr. Rich Besser co-authored this op-ed reflecting on the need to protect and listen to America's young people in the face of national public health failures jeopardizing their well-being: https://bit.ly/4qR9Owf