Jean Probert, Chairman
JProbertrn@comcast.net
508-478-3735

Click here for the Junior's Special Project, GFWC Advocates for Children, from the GFWC Club Manual.
Click here for the Advocates for Children Information Please pages.
Click here for the Advocates for Children Report Cover Sheet.

I'm pleased to inform you that GFWC Juniors have chosen to keep Advocates for Children as our national project through 2020.  Think of how much we can accomplish in the next 10 years!  During the next two years I look forward to working with you to bring programs, projects and ideas to your members and communities that seek to protect children from harmful situations, encourage healthy lifestyles, support and provide best practices for emergency care, and prevent substance abuse and youth suicide. The GFWC 2010-2012 Manual provides a detailed overview of the program principles, project goals and objectives, collaborations and examples of club projects from across the nation, partnerships, and a detailed list of additional resources to assist your club with your work. I have included some additional information that I hope you will find helpful.  If you have any questions or suggestions regarding Advocates for Children, please feel free to contact me. PLEASE NOTE: Although much of your work related to children can be reported under different program areas, please choose some of your projects to report under our national Juniors' Special Project: Advocates for Children.

Click here for all of the luminary images! GFWC Randolph Junior Woman's Club displayed these luminaries on the Reed and Canton Streets traffic island on November 6, annual Luminary Night for Birthday Wishes.

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much"
~Helen Keller~

Advocates for Children Resources and Ideas

• The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) (www.OutoftheDark.org) This leading not-for-profit organization is dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education, and to reaching out to people with mood disorders and those impacted by suicide. 
• Parent Professional Advocacy League (Pal)- The Massachusetts Family Voice for Children's Mental Health (www.PPAL.net)  At least 1 in 5 children and adolescents has a mental health disorder. Pal is an organization of more than 4000 Massachusetts families and professionals that advocates for supports, treatments and policies that allow families with children and adolescents with mental health needs to live in their communities in an environment of stability and respect.  With offices in Boston and Worcester, Pal provides training and technical assistance to a large network of family support specialists.  May is mental health month.  Visit Pal's website to learn about workshops, speakers, youth groups, and Children's Mental Health Week activities throughout the state. Wear a green ribbon and show your support of children's mental health!  Call 617-542-7860 or write to info@ppal.net to order your ribbons!
• Stop Bullying Now: Take a Stand, Lend a Hand (www.StopBullyingNow.hrsa.gov) This online resource provides information for adults and children, webisodes, games, partnerships and tip sheets to assist your club in lending a hand in the fight against bullying.
• The Massachusetts Children's Trust Fund  (CTF) (www.MCRF.org) Every year, roughly 100,000 cases of child abuse and neglect are reported in Massachusetts- that's one child every 5 minutes!   The Masachsetts CTF enables more than 100 organizations statewide to prevent child abuse and neglect by providing the most effective programs for promoting good parenting and strong families.  CTF created One Tough Job (www.OneToughJob.org) to provide parents with reliable, practical information on a variety of topics related to raising children from infancy through adolescence. Whether your club chooses to volunteer, attend an event, assist in public policy initiatives, make a donation or join the Friends of CTF "Circle of Giving", you can show your support of preventing child abuse and neglect throughout our state.
• Let's Move! (www.LetsMove.gov) There is nothing more important than a child's health.  Yet today, obesity threatens the health of 1 out of 3 American children.  Launched by First Lady, Michelle Obama, Let's Move is part of a nationwide effort to solve the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation.  This online resource provides parents, teachers, chefs and community leaders with health and nutrition information, a blog, ideas for outdoor activities, weekly menu plans, and video cooking demonstrations by some of the nations top chefs.  What a terrific opportunity for Junior Clubs to support children's health in our communities and schools!
• CHIP (Child Identifcation Program) (www.MyChip.org) The Masons conduct numerous programs throughout the year that provide parents with a take home packet including a brief video interview of their child, and his/her fingerprints, dental impression and DNA swab. To host or assist with a CHIP event in your area, contact mychip@massfreemasonry.org.
• Birthday Wishes (www.BirthdayWishes.org) This volunteer organization provides birthday parties to children living in homeless shelters.  Hosting a party at a shelter, donating services or party supplies, or holding a fundraiser in your area are all rewarding opportunities to help children in need to experience some joy on their special day.
• Cradles to Crayons (www.CradlestoCrayons.org) Cradles to Crayons provides everday basic items free to low income and homeless children throughout Massachusetts.  Your club can make a difference in the lives of these children by hosting a drive, volunteering at the warehouse, or sponsoring backpacks. Visit the Cradles to Crayons website for more details.
• Graffiti Hurts (www.GraffitiHurts.org) Graffiti sends the signal that nobody cares, attracting other forms of crime to neighborhoods, draining tax dollars and decreasing residents' feeling of safety.  Graffiti hurts is a one-stop resource for grafitti prevention that provides communities with facts, tips and tools for organizing neighborhood cleanups, and sample lesson plans to teach students in grades 3-5 why graffiti hurts them and their community.  Your club could coordinate a graffiti awareness campaign, organize a "paint out', or plan a paint brush mural with a local school.