MEDIA ADVISORY FOR: June 18, 19, 20

For more information contact:
Ursula Ellis, 202-223-2443,uellis@everychildmatters.org

Virginia Kids Campaign to Kick Off on June 18

“Strong Kids, Strong Virginia” –a  non-partisan campaign of the Every Child Matters Education Fund with partners Extra Special Parents, Virginia Association for Early Childhood Education, and Virginia Organizing—will hold events across the state introducing to the media, candidates for office, and the electorate this initiative to make smart investments in children a priority in the 2013 state elections.

WHO: Strong Kids, Strong Virginia

WHAT: Press Conference & Rally

WHEN & WHERE: 
June 18, 10:30 a.m. Children’s Harbor in Portsmouth, 630 London St.
June 19, 10:30 a.m. VCU Child Development Center in Richmond, 1128 Floyd Ave.
June 19, 3:00 p.m. Free Speech Monument, Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, 321 E. Main St.
June 20, 10:30 a.m. Jefferson Center’s Fralin Atrium in Roanoke, 541 Luck Ave.
June 20, 11:00 a.m. Annandale Christian Community for Action Child Development Center in Annandale, 7200 Columbia Pike

DETAILS: Speakers from the children’s and family’s advocacy & service communities, and the business community, along with elected officials will provide a comprehensive picture of the status of children in Virginia. The campaign will release the results of a Mason-Dixon poll of Virginia voters on how they view the needs of children and the campaign for Governor.

BACKGROUND: In Virginia, more than 284,000 children live in poverty, more than 18,000 are homeless, one in six faces food insecurity, 148,000 still have no health insurance, thousands are unable to attend high quality early learning and care programs, and nearly 65,000 were reported victims of child abuse and neglect. Visitwww.strongkidsstrongvirginia.com for more information on Virginia’s children.

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Every Child Matters Education Fund was established in 2001 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization to make public investments in children, youth, and families a national political priority. Contact Michael Petit at 202-223- 8870 ormpetit@everychildmatters.org.

Extra Special Parents provides high quality foster care services and a stable family environment to youth between the ages of birth to 21 who have experienced abuse, neglect, or have a developmental disability and/or mental health challenges and have been referred by a Local Department of Social Services or another licensed private child-placing agency. Contact Abigail Schreiner at 804-714-1776 or aschreiner@espva.org.

Virginia Organizing is a non-partisan statewide grassroots organization that brings people together to create a more just Virginia. Contact Amanda Pohl at804-337-1912 or amanda@virginia-organizing.org.

Virginia Association for Early Childhood Education (VAECE) is an organization of people interested in the education and welfare of young children and their families. Through 12 local affiliate chapters, VAECE members work to provide educational opportunities for adults who work with young children, to advocate for legislation at the state and local level for quality educational opportunities, and to implement programs and services for young children and their families. Contact Chris Spanos at 804-282-0278 or ChrisSpaos@SpanosConsutling.com.