Community-Led Advocacy
Our program evaluation confirms what we observe: Parents with strong advocacy skills do the best job of sustaining the health and education outcomes we secure through legal advocacy.
We believe the same is true for neighborhoods and communities.
Ms. Eury, a parent advocate and former Children’s Law Center client once shared with us, “Whatever I do with Children’s Law Center, my goal is to help other people. We have to share our resources with other parents, so people know they aren’t the only ones going through it.”
She’s not alone. Ms. Hill shared the demand letter we used to resolve her housing issue so that a neighbor could advocate for changes with their landlord. The landlord fixed the neighbor’s home as well. Parents and caregivers like Ms. Eury and Ms. Hill have asked us to provide them with the tools and resources to be even more effective lay advocates for other families like their own.
A 2022 study by the Legal Services Corporation estimates that 92% of low-income Americans do not get any or enough legal assistance. Although we are one of the largest legal service providers in DC, Children’s Law Center can never reach all the children and families who need our help. Sometimes a neighbor – who has shared experiences – can get a better result than a lawyer. Or is easier to reach. Other times a lawyer isn’t necessary.
We’ve often said it shouldn’t take a lawyer to ensure a child is safe, healthy and learning. Now parents are turning that idea into reality. We will follow their lead, sharing our expertise and our resources – whether they need training, model demand letters, laptops or Wi-Fi.
This will allow parents to solve children’s urgent problems today and will strengthen the community so that change endures.
Strategic Framework
Since 1996, Children’s Law Center has listened, learned and evolved to meet the changing needs of our clients and community. Read our new mission, vision and 2023-2027 strategic framework.