In 1954, the UN General Assembly recommended that November 20th be observed worldwide as Universal Children's Day. November 20th was chosen because it was on November 20th that the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). Universal Children's Day is a day of fraternity and u … [Read more...] about Universal Children’s Day: November 20th
Making Change
Empower Kids to Build a “We” Community
We live in a society that is all too often “every man or woman – or even child – for him or herself,” and these skewed values are shaping young generations. Do we really want to live in a world in which we can’t recognize that our neighbor’s triumphs and struggles are very much our own? What if, instead, we taught our children to embrace a “we” mentality as they grow and eventua … [Read more...] about Empower Kids to Build a “We” Community
Go Screen Free: Change Your Life
Do you find yourself on Facebook or Instagram, scrollingscrollingscrolling and you don’t remember the moment when you actually picked up your phone? Are you arguing with your child when it is time for them to turn off their show or game and they whine, “But you’re looking at a screen!” And they are right? Do you think about things you would like to do and then immediately … [Read more...] about Go Screen Free: Change Your Life
Strong Gun Laws Save Lives
FACTS ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE 31,347 people are killed with firearms each year in the US. The US has the highest rate of childhood homicide, suicide and firearm-related death among industrialized countries. Violence in the US is on the decline. In 2010, violent crime rates hit a low not seen since 1972. Ownership of guns in the US is at an all-time low. No … [Read more...] about Strong Gun Laws Save Lives
Promoting World Food Day
October 16th is World Food Day, a worldwide event designed to help alleviate hunger by raising awareness. It is held on October 16th to commemorate the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 1945. Events are organized in over 150 countries across the world to promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and f … [Read more...] about Promoting World Food Day
Nurturing Young Entrepreneurs
Children are natural-born entrepreneurs. When they're toddlers, they make homemade mud pies and "sell" them to Mom or Dad. As they get older, they start to understand that adults will pay them small amounts of real money in exchange for goods or services, such as a cup of iced lemonade or walking their dog after school. In 2013, Operation HOPE launched a pilot pr … [Read more...] about Nurturing Young Entrepreneurs
How To Help Asylum Families
Like most of us, you feel heartsick about the family separations happening to asylum seekers at the US border with Mexico. As you know, in his executive order, Trump instructed the attorney general to ask a federal judge to change or suspend the Flores agreement, the court order that forbids keeping kids in detention for longer than 20 days. On July 9th, US District Justice … [Read more...] about How To Help Asylum Families
Understanding Asylum Seekers
It is perfectly legal to come to the United States without papers and request asylum. Federal law says that anyone who comes to the US without legal status, and claims a fear of persecution, has the right to an interview to determine whether or not their fear is credible. If they pass the interview, they have the right to formally seek asylum. International law prohibits the US … [Read more...] about Understanding Asylum Seekers
Separation of Refugee Families
I am haunted by the sounds I heard on the news Monday night of immigrant children convulsivly sobbing in deep distress and calling for "Papa." They have been forcibly separated from their parents and now live in fenced pens and sleep on mats on the floor covered by Mylar blankets. No one is allowed to touch or comfort them and they have no idea if or when they will be reunited … [Read more...] about Separation of Refugee Families
The Voices of Mothers
We often ask ourselves, as women and mothers, what we can do to improve society. Those of us with young children rightly feel overwhelmed by the prospect of any more responsibilities beyond our everyday struggles. For those of us with older children, however, the timing could be right for making our voices heard outside or our own homes. And, while social action is important, … [Read more...] about The Voices of Mothers