Artwork made by children across the state hanging in the Florida State Capitol rotunda.
Photo credit: childrensweek.org
Florida’s children and families will have the opportunity to enjoy a free event while coming face-to-face with legislators, advocates and organizations whose primary focus is on bettering the lives of children.
United Way of Florida is expecting thousands of educators, students and families to attend the 23rd Annual Children’s Week festivities next week.
“Children’s Week is an umbrella under which all issues of importance to children and families reside,” said Ted Granger, the President of United Way of Florida. “It provides such a wonderful and meaningful way for our partners to engage with their communities and their elected state officials, and because of this, it has gathered more and more momentum every year.”
During the week and specifically on Tuesday, Children’s Week will offer complimentary breakfast and lunch to the public, an interactive Storybook Village, free books to young children and for middle school and high school students they will have a Teen Town Hall meeting and Youth Advocacy Workshop. It is encouraged for even college students to attend one of the open forums to have their questions answered by policymakers.
Jeremiah Carter, a public relations student at Florida A&M University and a current senior senator of the 47th Student Senate, encourages FAMU students to attend and participate in the town hall meeting on Tuesday.
“Last year, I attended Children’s Week simply curious about what goes on and I was surprised to see how much it catered to people of all ages, not solely young children,” said Carter. “FAMU students need to take advantage of this opportunity and make connections with the people who control legislation that affects us.”
The celebration at the Capitol serves as a platform for numerous organizations to
advocate for children and family issues to Florida lawmakers. Many of the organizations
participating in Children’s Week will also hold local events in their residing counties leading up to Children’s Week at the Capitol.
With over a hundred partners, Children’s Week is fueled by the vast amount of support they receive from organizations statewide. Many of the partnerships include the Early Learning Coalitions of Florida, Sunshine Health, Guardian ad Litem and Staywell.
“Partnerships are at the heart and soul of Children’s Week. It is the partners who use Children’s Week as one of their vehicles for making a difference on state policy issues,” said Granger.
This event is free and open to the public and will be taking place January 21 through 26 at the Florida State Capitol Building.