Charities Work on Behalf of Children

According to the charitable organization More4Kids, there are approximately 1 million charities registered in the United States. Many of these focus on improving the lives of children. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Children’s Defense Fund, and UNICEF are some of the more prominent charities in this area. Beyond these well-known organizations, the United States is home to charities with diverse missions, which range from providing for basic needs and helping students with their studies to helping children cope with childhood trauma and medical difficulties.

Two organizations that provide children with apparel and other necessities are Shoes That Fit and My Stuff Bags Foundation. Shoes That Fit supplies children with athletic shoes, with a focus on the 20 percent of children whose families fall below the poverty line. The charity delivers brand-new shoes in the hopes that children will not only remain in school, but also engage in exercise. Since 1992, the charity has donated 2.3 million pairs of shoes; annually, it donates 131,000 pairs to students attending 2,500 schools across the country.

The My Stuff Bags Foundation looks for sponsors to assist children living in extreme situations, such as those involving abandonment, neglect, abuse, homelessness, or foster care. The foundation provides children with a duffel bag containing school supplies, clothing, toiletries, stuffed animals, and toys, in addition to handmade security blankets. The point is to surround the children with items that are comforting, to help them adjust to their new surroundings.

Children Incorporated also assists children in getting necessary items. The organization channels donor funds to provide educational materials, food, clothing, health care support, and school supplies to children living in 21 countries. It also supports fundraising to benefit medical clinics, school expansions, feeding programs, and housing opportunities.

Some charities focus on providing infants in difficult circumstances with essentials. Newborns in Need, for example, gives care packages containing diapers, shampoo, and pajamas to new parents, while Project Linus provides handmade blankets to shelters, hospitals, and other social service locations. Stuffed Animals For Emergencies provides stuffed animals to children who live in war-torn and other crisis environments overseas.

Numerous charities serve children with health issues. Locks of Love provides wigs made of real hair for children suffering from hair loss due to medical conditions such as alopecia and cancer. Canines for Disabled Kids, meanwhile, provides assistance dogs for children with autism, hearing aids for children with hearing impairments, and wheelchairs for children with physical disabilities. Since 1998, Canines for Disabled Kids has placed over 90 service dogs, which provide assistance with daily tasks, help children build confidence, and provide them with companionship.

Other charities support children through arts and education. For example, the International Child Art Foundation focuses on arts education in underserved communities. Since its founding in 1997, approximately 5 million children have participated in its art programs, and 2.5 million people have participated in its festivals and art exhibits.

Another charity, Reach Out and Read, places emphasis on preparing children for school. Through its pediatric care program, family physicians, pediatricians, and nurses provide books and encourage parents to read to their children. The charity also supplies doctor’s offices with reading materials for the waiting room.