Children, Advocates
Step Up for Kids at Capitol Rally
CDC, Atlanta Falcons, Supporters Tell Voters, Candidates 'Vote for kids'

Voices for Georgia's Children asked students in grades 1-5 to submit essays for a contest in conjunction with the "Step Up for Kids Day" rally. "If I could have lunch with the candidates," Emily, a third-grader, reads from her award-winning entry, "I would ask them to lower food prices so no kid could die young of hunger... Give schools more money so they can improve and afford more things for their students. Lower taxes so families are not forced out of their homes because they can not afford them. Make medical prices go down so kids do not die of their injuries."

BY MARC MARTON

Children and advocates rallied in front of the Georgia State Capitol on Sept. 16, calling on legislators, candidates and voters to turn up the volume on issues concerning the state's youngest citizens.

The non-partisan event was one of many taking place across the nation to coincide with a national rally called "Step Up For Kids Day" in Washington, D.C. sponsored by Every Child Matters and co-sponsored by groups such as Prevent Child Abuse America, Voices for America's Children, and the National Association of Social Workers. Its purpose was to draw public attention to issues affecting America's children such as poverty, health care, juvenile incarceration, early care and education, child abuse, and afterschool programs.

Event co-sponsor Voices for Georgia's Children executive director and Georgia Family Connection Partnership Board member Pat Willis explained that "Step Up for Kids Day" was meant to keep election year politics-as-usual from taking the spotlight away from the needs of those unable to vote.

Voices for Georgia's Children executive director and Georgia Family Connection Partnership Board member Pat Willis calls for making kids a priority.

"A lot of what's being said on the national stage is a distraction from the issues important to families that are vital to a functioning state," said Willis. "We're here today to let the public know that they can make a difference by voting but we need to stay focused. Vote and ask the candidates you're voting for to make kids a priority."

The rally in downtown Atlanta included keynote remarks by Dr. Corinne Graffunder of the CDC, Atlanta Falcons quarterback D.J. Shockley and a host of school children who waved signs, read brief essays and gave drum performances. The event was co-sponsored by Georgia CASA, Inc., Docs for Tots, Easter Seals North Georgia, Inc., Georgia Afterschool Investment Council, Georgia Association for Homes and Services for Children, GA EmpowerMEnt—Hearing the "ME" in the Voices of GA's Foster Youth, Georgia School Age Care Association, Inner Harbour, Interfaith Children's Movement, National Association of Social Workers- Georgia Chapter and Prevent Child Abuse-Georgia.

Read the award-winning essays, check out more pictures, and learn how you can be a voice for children at the Voices for Georgia's Children Web site.

Marc Marton is communications director at Voices for Georgia's Children.

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