The Power of Seven Challenge

The Power of Seven membership campaign celebrates ICM's seven years of advocacy. What we've accomplished these past seven years gives us only a glimpse of what our power could be for children if we truly could educate all of our faith communities about the dire circumstances in which our children exist.

Did you know that in the Annie E. Casey 2008 KidsCount study that Georgia ranked 40 out of the 50 states in "overall child well-being?"

Help ICM to effect significant change in the welfare of our children. Take up the challenge and see the Power of Seven work. Pledge your support to meet the challenge that will grow and sustain ICM's presence throughout Georgia. Recruit seven of your friends, family members and faith community members to join the Interfaith Children's Movement.

Just look at what's possible...

1 person recruits 7 members = 7

7 members recruit 7 members = 49

49 members recruit 7 members = 343

343 members recruit 7 members = 2,401

2,401 members recruit 7 members = 16,807

16,807 members recruit 7 members = 117,649

117,649 members recruit 7 members = 823,543 members!

Now,that's a movement with POWER! Let us hear from you. Email us at: info@interfaithchildrensmovement.org.

ICM on the Road for Juvenile Justice

In early 2008, ICM joined the JUSTGeorgia coalition and embarked on a campaign to promote faith communities’ education and awareness of the proposed revision of the Juvenile Code. ICM seeks to establish a network of faith communities statewide that will become educated about the issues and policies affecting children; that will become active in the advocacy and legislative processes; and that will seek the common good for all children by calling for fair and clear legislation.

The Case for Change The current Juvenile Code, which was established in 1971, was not founded on best practices nor was scientific research consulted in determining what measures would be in the best interest of children. Over the years, it has become a “patchwork quilt of amendments” due, in part, to changing political environments. As a result, the current Code is deficient in providing a firm foundation for the fair and equal treatment of children in the juvenile justice system; fails to provide adequate services for children who have special needs and sufficient support for parents and other caretakers of children.

At ICM's Social Justice Forum, it was reported that Georgia spends twice as much per prisoner as per public school pupil. This statement indicates that there is a measurable difference in the allocation of financial resources for prevention and intervention (through education) than detention (through incarceration). The question that ICM has posed is “Why has the collective faith community remained silent on this issue?”

According to research provided by JUSTGeorgia, Georgia consistently ranks in the lowest tier in outcomes for school achievement, graduation rates, and employment; and reflects increasing percentages in teen pregnancy rates and violent deaths compared to youth in other states. The percentages for children entering the juvenile justice system due to delinquency or deprivation can be even worse. In 2007, Georgia’s Department of Juvenile Justice recorded an intake total of more than 47,000 cases. Moreover, judges and lawyers who use the current Juvenile Code describe it as “difficult to use,” “lacking in clarity” and “out-dated”--primarily because the current Code, which was written in the early 1970s, does not reflect research-based best practices.

The passage of a revised Code, based on the work presented in the Proposed Model Code drafted and released by the Young Lawyer's Division in March 2008, will provide for a “research-based, comprehensive, and well-organized model juvenile code for Georgia that reflects best practices in juvenile law.” As a result, children should receive fair and equal treatment within the juvenile justice system; children and families will receive the intervention assistance they need, which should lower the recidivism rate; and Georgia’s social and economic futures will be enhanced by the productive growth of a healthy population of children, stronger families and safer communities.

ICM is Faith Communities Working Together for Children.

Contact Us
Interfaith Children's Movement, P.O. Box 54149, Atlanta, Georgia 30308
(770) 498-2141
info@interfaithchildrensmovement.org

What's New?

Contact Gov. Perdue: Keep Open the New Assessment Center for Prostituted Girls

New GPBI report finds Georgia poverty rate remained high at 14.3 percent in 2007, compared to 11.7 percent in 2001.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

ICM's ICAN Team Meeting
Dec. 2

Prevent Child Abuse
2009 Faith Leadership Summit

(1) Attend ICM's ICAN Team Meeting

December 2, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. The Interfaith Children's Action Network (ICAN) team meeting will be held December 2, from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Frazier, Soloway & Poorak, P.C., 1800 Century Place, Suite 100, Atlanta, Georgia 30345.

Is your passion fighting for policies and legislation that are "good" for children or nurturing our children by increasing awareness within the faith communities of the challenges they face? Then please volunteer for the Interfaith Children's Action Network (ICAN) team. This critical team provides the strategy and planning that lead the general membership to effective action and care for Georgia’s children. Please send an e-mail to ICM at info@interfaithchildrensmovement.org or call 770-498-2141 to confirm your attendance for our meeting on December 2.

(2) Prevent Child Abuse Georgia's 4th Annual Faith Leadership Summit -- Connecting the Dots: Healthy Communities, Healthy Families, Healthy Children Participate in a day of learning and sharing with prevention experts and faith leaders about a universal approach to child abuse prevention, Thursday, January 29, 2009, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm at the University of Georgia - Griffin Campus.

Join Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Georgia, the Spalding Collaborative and the Interfaith Children’s Movement (ICM) in learning how to raise awareness about the issue of child maltreatment and ways faith leaders can help build protective factors that lead to healthy children, families and communities. Participants will attend educational workshops, engage in facilitated dialogue, network with peers and learn about community resources.

Pre-registration is required. Cost is $15 and includes lunch and conference materials. Registration increases to $25 after January 16, 2009. Due to limited seating, registration is restricted to two representatives from each organization. Make plans now to attend and learn how to “Connect the Dots” on behalf of Georgia’s families and children. To request a registration packet, send an email to faithsummit@pcageorgia.org. For more information about PCA Georgia, Spalding Collaborative or ICM, visit us online: PCA Georgia: www.pcageorgia.org Spalding Collaborative: www.spaldingcollaborative.com ICM: www.interfaithchildrensmovement.org.