30 Years of Impact
As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we’re shining a spotlight on three pillars that have powered our work for decades: tenacity, innovation and impact.
A Snapshot of Our Impact
60,000+ children and families reached directly since 1996.
60+ laws created or changed that improve the lives of DC children.
Countless partnerships help us expand what is possible.
In our Spotlight on Impact, we share how Children’s Law Center has created lasting change for hundreds of thousands of DC children and families.
- Impact starts with a single child
- Impact grows when we listen… and change systems
- Impact lasts when we work together
- Protecting Progress
Impact starts with a single child
For three decades, Children’s Law Center has stood with DC children and families at pivotal moments: helping a child exit foster care into a safe and stable home, making sure a student had the device they needed to communicate at school, or representing a family at an emergency court hearing when their landlord refused to fix the heat during a bitter cold spell.
At 12 years old, Keisha Hale survived Hurricane Katrina, spending four days in an attic with her family. The storm forced her family to relocate to DC. Shortly after, Keisha entered foster care and met Children’s Law Center. Keisha faced significant emotional challenges, including depression and thoughts of self-harm. With support from her Children’s Law Center team, she gained access to mental health resources, educational support and the stability she needed to begin healing.
Today, Keisha holds a master’s degree, teaches fourth grade and is a published author. In her recent poetry memoir, she shares her journey.
Her message to young people navigating foster care: “You are more than a foster child, and you can follow your dreams.”
Impact grows when we listen… and change systems
Every day, our direct work with children and families shows us where systems are falling short — and what needs to change so all children can thrive. We listen to families, learn from their experiences and turn those lessons into stronger laws, policies and programs that reach children we may never meet.
Nearly 2,000 children have exited foster care into guardianship because of our advocacy.
More than 25 years ago, Children’s Law Center was instrumental in passing the Foster Children’s Guardianship Act, which allowed children who could not safely return to their parents to exit foster care into the custody of grandparents or other relatives. Since 2001, nearly 2,000 children have exited foster care into guardianship, growing up with greater stability.
When we turn individual lessons into systemic solutions, children today – and for generations to come – can grow up safer and healthier.
Impact lasts when we work together
It takes a community to reach even more children and families and create change that lasts. Children’s Law Center has trained 30,000 pediatricians, judges, pro bono partners, parents, youth and community advocates to ensure the changes we’ve made last, and has created countless partnerships to help us expand what is possible.
From 7 to 1. Through a unique data-sharing agreement with Children’s National and AmeriHealth Caritas DC, we calculated the reduction in ER visits when we addressed housing conditions that were making children sick. On average, children’s visits to the ER dropped from seven per year to less than one.
This is how impact reaches farther and lasts longer. When we work and learn together, children thrive.
Protecting Progress
This anniversary is a milestone — not a finish line. Our work will continue until every DC child has a strong foundation of family, health and education.
As DC faces rising unemployment, threats to family stability, budget cuts and harsh policy changes, we remain focused on protecting the progress we have made together — and making sure children and families are not left to face these challenges alone.
The road ahead may be more difficult, but our direction is clear. With our community beside us, we will keep bringing our tenacity and innovation to deepen our impact.
Help Us Power the Next 30 Years
Make a gift today to help protect DC children and families from the impact of federal and local budget cuts. Your support strengthens our tenacity, fuels innovation and delivers lasting impact.
30 Years. 30 Stories.
Listen to the stories of 30 clients, partners, and staff from over our 30-year history.