Children's Week

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See the photos from Children's Week 2007! (will open in a second window)

Thank you to all the children’s advocates across the state that made the 12^th Annual Children’s Week possible. This year we continued our effort to focus on local, grassroots activities combined with activities in our State Capitol, to generate community and political awareness and support for the issues we all care so deeply about. The format generated a great deal of excitement around the state - not only for its outstanding activities, but for its future potential as well.

Here’s a summary of events that took place in Tallahassee and around the state in support of the 12^th Annual Children’s Week: For additional information on upcoming activities, pictures from Hanging of the Hands, local events and our Children’s Week press conference, please look around our website.

Local Events and Activities – Local partners throughout the state organized hundreds of community Children’s Week events to raise awareness for children’s issues and gather momentum for the 2007 Children’s Week at the Capital. Our partnership with Step Up, Florida and the Association of Early Learning Coalitions helped us organize literally hundreds of amazing events and activities for Florida's parents and children. Events such as the Breakfast of Champions honoring children’s advocates in Pensacola and the Children’s Rally and Reading Round Up in Putnam County helped bring together local elected officials, legislators, community leaders and thousands of children and families across the state.

Children's Week Advocacy Dinner and Reception - Over 150 Children's Week partners, sponsors and advocates were in attendance. Speakers included Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente, Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and City of Tallahassee Mayor John Marks. The 2007 Chiles' Advocacy Award was presented to longtime children's advocate Karen Woodall.

Official Hanging of the Hands in State Capitol Rotunda - Volunteers hung an estimated 100,000 paper-cut outs of children's hands in the Capitol Rotunda. The artwork was collected at community events, schools and child care centers across the state and served as a reminder to legislators to keep their promises to Florida's parents and children. Thanks go to everyone who contributed to this truly amazing display of artwork.

Kids Rally in Tally - Thousands of parents, children, advocates, and policy makers gathered in the courtyard for interactive activity booths hosted by Children's Week Partners. Local entertainers provided live entertainment on the back steps of the Old Capitol Building.

Children's Week Legislative Listening Session - Hosted by Rep. J.C. Planas, Rep. Loranne Ausley and all of our Children's Week partners, the listening session generated wonderful ideas including setting up a Statewide Youth Advisory Council to help address and advise the Legislature on the top issues facing Florida's Children and families.

Legislative Reading Corner - Over a dozen legislators read to children and handed out books at the Legislative Reading Corner sponsored by Reach Out and Read Florida.

Comcast Newsmakers Show - Governor Charlie Crist and over 45 other Children’s Week partners, legislators and advocates were interviewed on the Comcast Newsmakers show which will be re-aired across the state.

Comcast Newsmaker Show - Governor Charlie Crist Stock was interviewed on the Comcast Newsmakers show which will be re-aired across the state. The Comcast Newsmakers show includes interviews with over 45 Children's Week partners, legislators and advocates.

Children's Week Press Conference and Hanging of the Hands Dedication Ceremony - Governor Charlie Crist participated in the Children's Week press conference, along with Representatives JC Planas and Loranne Ausley.

There is no doubt, this year’s Children’s Week events and activities made a significant impact in opening up lines of communication between children’s advocates and the Florida Legislature. This years' legislative session saw the passing and approval for the formation of a Children's Cabinet which is designed to promote interagency collaboration in order to better deliver services to children and families. As advocates we must stand together, not fight each other, if we are to accomplish our goals of improving the lives of Florida’s Families.

Of course there is much more work to do, and we could expound at length upon the economic and political circumstances of the day. But suffice it to say, there is no more important time for us to partner together in our efforts to help policy makers understand the critical importance of supporting children and their families.

We hope you recognize this fact and join us in continuing our efforts in bringing advocates and policy makers together to discuss children’s issues. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to contact us at any time. We look forward to planning the 13^th Annual Children’s Week in 2008 and we’ll keep you posted with more information regarding plans for the statewide Children’s Summit. Thank you.

Jason Zaborske, Children's Week Statewide Coordinator
Phone: 850-251-7274
E-mail: Jason@childrensweek.org

See the photos from Children's Week 2007! (will open in a second window)