Policy in action is a distinguishing CDF-California characteristic. Through nationwide initiatives and community-based programs, we plant the seeds to develop the next generation of servant-leaders who will continue to reweave the fabric of community for children and youth. Our vision is to create a successor generation of servant-leaders who will drive community and national transformations and inspire and make long-term improvements for children.

The Children's Defense Fund's Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute

CDF's Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry invites the next generation of religious leaders to step forward for children as the New Leaders of the Joshua and Deborah Generation and continue the mission of building the blessed community through the vocations of ministry and child advocacy. Learn more about the Joshua and Deborah Generation track at the Proctor Institute and how you can apply.

CDF Trains Young Adults in Community Organizing

In 2010, young adults from across the country attended the 2010 Young Advocate Leadership Training (YALT^®) program at CDF Haley Farm. The training focused on organizing communities and campuses around health care reform in 2010, especially health care reform for children. Participants developed their own customized action plans to organize a variety of activities to support health reform such as meeting with elected officials, letter writing campaigns, petition drives, rallies and collecting personal stories to deliver to elected officials. Learn more about the YALT program.

To learn more about youth programs in California, contact Joanna Flores at jflores@childrensdefense.org.