National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP): “One of the nation’s leading public policy center dedicated to promoting the economic security, health, and well-being of America’s low-income families and children”. NCCP utilizes research as an educational tool to inform policy and practice and ensure positive outcomes for the next generation. The organization encourages family-oriented solutions at the state and national levels while remaining dedicated to their mission of obtaining family economic security, strong nurturing families, and healthy child development.
I found NCCP to be most appealing to my interest in child development, family security, and advocacy to reduce poverty in America. The detrimental effects of poverty on the health and development of children are devastating realities. Children living in poverty are more likely to have poor health, delayed cognitive development, and school failure in comparison to their peers of higher socioeconomic status. The effects of poverty that continue to plague our children every day is an issue worth discussing, addressing, and rectifying. (NCCP currently does not have employment positions available)
Zero To Three: “A national, nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers”. This organization promotes healthy development of infants and toddlers with specific focus on behavior and development, maltreatment, care and education, and public policy. This is of interest to me as I support their motto “Early Experiences Matter”. Birth through age five is the most vital and influential years of a child’s development as children learn about the world around them and their support system within that world. The experiences a child has within these years typically provide the foundation for their physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development. It is extremely important for parents, early childhood professional, and policy makers to be educated regarding the significance of early experiences and its effects on a child’s future. (Zero To Three currently does not have employment opportunities available that are of interest to me)
Feeding America: “The nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity dedicated to feeding America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks while engaging in the fight to end hunger”. This organization prides themselves on their established values of (1) Respect (2) Stewardship & Accountability (3) Collaboration (4) Urgency (5) Service (7) Integrity (8) Diversity. This organization appealed to me as I share in the organization’s mission to reduce hunger in America. Hunger is an epidemic plaguing a significant number of families nationwide and an issue worth tackling. America has a reputation of being a country of wealth and abundance but falls significantly short in reducing hunger. Feeding America and similar organizations are essential in educating the nation about hunger in America, and advocating to ensure everyone has food security.
Feeding America. (2013). Retrieved from http://feedingamerica.org/
National Center for Children in Poverty. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.nccp.org/about.html
Zero To Three. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.zerotothree.org/
Tinisha,
ReplyDeleteYour passion to address food insecurity is very clear in your post. Lack of proper nutrition has a lifetime of ramifications. Where I live, food insecurity is often hidden in the shadows.
I heard from a friend that Zero to Three has a Policy Analyst position open in Los Angeles!
ReplyDeleteAs far as food insecurity, the food banks have been struggling with the economic downturn. Feeding America (formerly Second Harvest) has a veru good reputation.
Once upon a time, when I worked in the Housing Projects, the issue of food insecurity was made evident when I learned that one of the mothers would come to the school and take food from the dumpsters that the children had thrown away. I also heard of children that would catch pigeons for dinner. The things that we take for granted!
Right now, I am living on limited resources and can tell you that after days of pasta and rice and tortillas - it can take a toll on one's psyche. There are many neighborhoods that also lack access to affordable and quality fresh fruit and vegetables. These nighborhoods might have many fast food restaurants but no supermarkets.
Dear Tinisha,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post. The thing that caught my attention was the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP). I am a teacher that works with low-income families, so this organization helps programs like my center to support the needs of young children and their families. I was sad to read that they do not have any job opportunities, but then again it is a great thing because that means that there are other people out there who cares four young children who come from poverty.
Dear Tinisha,
ReplyDeleteI didn’t know about Feeding America even though I have some familiarity with food banks. There are a variety of tasks in the early childhood field and I feel that they are getting more complicated. Learning about this organization gave me a chance to look at the fundamental task of securing food for children. Thank you very much for sharing good resources.
Aya
Tinisha,
ReplyDeleteThese were some interesting job possibilities. Especially if you are interested in working with those who may be striggling because of poverty and issues that are caused by state of the economy. Nice post.