Dear Lord be good to me. The sea is so wide and my boat is so small

The Children's Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind^® mission is 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. Full Mission Statement »

Our new report is a compilation of the most recent and reliable national and state data on key child indicators. Read it now »
The Ohio’s KIDS COUNT: 2010 Data Book, provides the most current and accurate data that tracks and compares the well-being of children in Ohio and its 88 counties. Learn more »
CDF Freedom Schools® program sites across the country recently brought leaders "back to school" by letting them know what budget cuts to education mean for children. Learn more »
Call Congress and tell them to cut billionaires, not babies, and to invest in early childhood and education. Take action »

Creating Change: Freedom Schools

Freedom Schools Scholar
The CDF Freedom Schools® program provides summer and after-school enrichment that helps children fall in love with reading, increases their self-esteem, and generates more positive attitudes toward learning. Children are taught using a model curriculum that supports children and families around five essential components: high quality academic enrichment; parent and family involvement; civic engagement and social action; intergenerational leadership development; and nutrition, health and mental health. Read more...