wfn.org | Child Advocacy Network

[owner-umethnews@ecunet.org]

"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3501 notes).

Note 3501 by UMNS on March 19, 1997 at 15:58 Eastern (3202 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT:  Joretta Purdue                      147(10-30-71B){3501}
          Washington, D.C.  (202) 546-8722          March 19, 1997

Child Advocacy Network grows;
open to interested United Methodists

     WASHINGTON (UMNS) -- Because information is the currency of
the '90s, United Methodists have put together a Child Advocacy
Network (CAN) to share knowledge and act through legislative
contacts on behalf of children.
     Some 700 church members from across the country engage in
letter-writing, telephoning or capitol visits to let legislators
know that United Methodists care about children and to voice their
beliefs about the effects of specific proposals.
     In doing so, they are following in the footsteps of John
Wesley, Methodism's founder, who advocated for the poor, the ill
and the uneducated but also addressed needs directly by
establishing classes and clinics. 
     The national network was established about two years ago
after advocates working for United Methodist agencies here needed
grass-roots participation in the welfare reform debates, said the
Rev. Eliezer Valentin-Castanon of the Board of Church and Society.
     About 200 people were identified to help with advocacy at the
federal level then.  United Methodist participants in the June
1996 Stand for Children rally, who wanted to be added to the
network, helped swell the numbers and more are welcome.
     Valentin-Castanon said the decentralization of programs
through the use of block grants has increased the need for annual
conference child advocacy networks to monitor and advocate in the
state legislative process, but it has not eliminated the need at
the federal level. What is decided in Washington affects what can
be done in the states, he explained.
     Through quarterly mailings the network provides information
on issues affecting children. Later this year Valentin-Castanon
expects to add internet access to network information. 
     Network membership is without cost, he added. The only
obligation is to share information and advocate for children.
     "This is for the long haul," Valentin-Castanon said, "until
the needs of children -- all our children -- are taken care of."
     CAN just held its first annual meeting in Washington in mid
March. The next meeting, also a day of workshops, will be in Los
Angeles immediately before or after the annual Children's Defense
Fund meeting.
     The network works with the Council of Bishops' Task Force on
Children and Poverty, and has asked each bishop to name a person
from every annual conference to disseminate information on these
issues in a timely manner.
     "We have the history; we have the tradition; and we have the
strength to make a difference in children's lives," declared
Valentin-Castanon.
     Interested individuals may join the network by simply writing
to the Rev. Eliezer Valentin-Castanon, United Methodist Board of
Church and Society, 100 Maryland Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002.
                              #  #  #   

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 To make suggestions or give your comments, send a note to 
 umns@ecunet.org or Susan_Peek@ecunet.org

 To unsubscribe, send the single word "unsubscribe" (no quotes)
 in a mail message to umethnews-request@ecunet.org

-----------------------------------------------------------------------