Faith-Based Programs
CDF works closely with national religious leaders and organizations, state and regional bodies, and local congregations, leaders, and lay people. Religious people and organizations — with millions of members, deep roots in communities across the country, a history of caring for children, and moral authority — are indispensable to building a successful movement for children.
Join the faithful members of CDF's movement for children—as an individual or as a representative of a religious organization!
National Observance of Children's Sabbaths Celebration
This celebration is part of a broader Children's Sabbaths movement that aims to unite religious congregations of all faiths across the nation in shared concern for children and a common commitment to improving their lives and working for justice on their behalf.
- Children's Sabbaths manual and promotional packet (PDF)
- More information from the national Children's Defense Fund
Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry
The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry provides five days of spiritual renewal, continuing education, movement-building workshops and networking. Participants include clergy, seminarians, educators, lay leaders, parents, grandparents, and all who wish to more fully understand and more faithfully live out God's call to nurture, protect and seek justice for children.
Joshua & Deborah Generation Program
This track of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute trains the next generation of religious leaders to continue the mission of building the blessed community through the vocations of ministry and child advocacy. The religious leaders of this generation are encouraged to continue the movement for children while implementing unique and genuine leadership styles just as Joshua led the Israelites to the Promised Land and Deborah later restored order in the land for the Israelites.
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.