Citizens' Committee for Children
Encyclopedia
Citizens' Committee for Children of New York (CCC) is a non-governmental organization
based in New York City
and founded in 1944 that
provides "a voice for children, especially poor and vulnerable children and children with special needs" as the city's "only locally-based, multi-issue child advocacy organization" working towards its aim of making the city a better place for children.
Eleanor Roosevelt
, Adele Rosenwald Levy and Marion Ascoli (daughters of Julius Rosenwald
), Judge Justine W. Polier
, Alfred J. Kahn
, Dr. Kenneth Clark, and Benjamin Spock
were among CCC's founders and early leaders. Though Charlotte Carr, of Chicago's Hull House, was CCC's first Executive Director, Trude Lash
, longtime friend of Eleanor Roosevelt, was its first Program Director in 1946 and served as Executive Director for 20 years from 1952 until 1972.
In May 1954, the organization elected Dean Kenneth W. Johnson of the Columbia University School of Social Work
to serve as its chairman, succeeding Leonard W. Mayo, who became a director of the committee.
A November 2008 article in The New York Times
documented the effects of the economic downturn on charitable organizations. Executive director Jennifer March-Joly described how the organization was working to deal with the demise of Lehman Brothers
, which had covered most of the cost of promoting Works on Paper, a fund-raising art auction the held each February.
of the Columbia University School of Social Work prepared a report issued in 1953 on the Children's Court in New York, based on a three-year study he performed with the cooperation of Presiding Justice John Warren Hill. An editorial in The New York Times
about the report cited the work as an unprecedented look behind the scenes of Children's Court, which is normally closed to the public and the press. Kahn was able to examine records, interview staff and to observe cases as they were being decided. While complementary of some aspects of the court's operation, Kahn called the system "a dream still unrealized" that needed to focus more on rehabilitation than punishment.
Citizens' Committee for Children of New York released a 109-page report in 1957 titled For Children in Trouble written by Kahn that argued that the city's efforts for children "does not deal adequately with children in trouble". Kahn's recommendations included a new City Children's Bureau, or a strengthened existing one, that would oversee programs on a more systematic basis to address the issue that "inadequate measures are often taken because of community self-deception" that the institutions and resources available are capable of meeting a child's need. The report cited lengthy waiting lists and overcrowding at institutions intended to serve children and a 50-60% recidivism rate by age 21 for children released from State Training Schools.
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
based in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and founded in 1944 that
provides "a voice for children, especially poor and vulnerable children and children with special needs" as the city's "only locally-based, multi-issue child advocacy organization" working towards its aim of making the city a better place for children.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...
, Adele Rosenwald Levy and Marion Ascoli (daughters of Julius Rosenwald
Julius Rosenwald
Julius Rosenwald was a U.S. clothier, manufacturer, business executive, and philanthropist. He is best known as a part-owner and leader of Sears, Roebuck and Company, and for the Rosenwald Fund which donated millions to support the education of African American children in the rural South, as well...
), Judge Justine W. Polier
Justine W. Polier
thumb|Justine Wise PolierAn outspoken activist and a "fighting judge," Justine Wise Polier was the first woman Justice in New York. For 38 years she used her position on the Family Court bench to fight for the rights of the poor and disempowered. Polier was born April 12, 1903 in Portland, Oregon...
, Alfred J. Kahn
Alfred J. Kahn
Alfred Joseph Kahn was an American expert on social policy, particularly as it related to child welfare. He was critical of problems at the local and federal governmental level in providing services related to child development and family support, arguing that a comprehensive system of social...
, Dr. Kenneth Clark, and Benjamin Spock
Benjamin Spock
Benjamin McLane Spock was an American pediatrician whose book Baby and Child Care, published in 1946, is one of the biggest best-sellers of all time. Its message to mothers is that "you know more than you think you do."Spock was the first pediatrician to study psychoanalysis to try to understand...
were among CCC's founders and early leaders. Though Charlotte Carr, of Chicago's Hull House, was CCC's first Executive Director, Trude Lash
Trude Lash
Trude Lash, formerly Gertrude Pratt, née Wenzel was a student activist alleged to have had covert relationships with Soviet intelligence agencies....
, longtime friend of Eleanor Roosevelt, was its first Program Director in 1946 and served as Executive Director for 20 years from 1952 until 1972.
In May 1954, the organization elected Dean Kenneth W. Johnson of the Columbia University School of Social Work
Columbia University School of Social Work
The Columbia University School of Social Work is a professional program within Columbia University. With an enrollment of over 900, it is one of the largest social work programs in the United States. It is also the nation’s oldest, with roots extending back to 1898, when the New York Charity...
to serve as its chairman, succeeding Leonard W. Mayo, who became a director of the committee.
A November 2008 article in The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
documented the effects of the economic downturn on charitable organizations. Executive director Jennifer March-Joly described how the organization was working to deal with the demise of Lehman Brothers
Lehman Brothers
Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. was a global financial services firm. Before declaring bankruptcy in 2008, Lehman was the fourth largest investment bank in the USA , doing business in investment banking, equity and fixed-income sales and trading Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (former NYSE ticker...
, which had covered most of the cost of promoting Works on Paper, a fund-raising art auction the held each February.
Programs and proposals
The Citizen's Committee for Children has advocated on behalf of a number of proposed legislative changes that would benefit children and their families:- Birthright Trust Fund (BTF) - an account would be created at birth for all children in New York City or New York State that would be started with a government contribution of approximately $500, with additional contributions made to this account for low-income families from relatives, charitable organizations and the children themselves. Beneficiaries would be able to start making withdrawals at age 18 to fund education or a new business or place a down payment on a home, to foster steps that lead to economic self-sufficiency.
- Child Care Tax Credit - In contrast to the existing non-refundable Child and Dependent Care CreditChild and Dependent Care CreditThe Household and Dependent Care Credit is a nonrefundable tax credit available to United States taxpayers. Taxpayers that care for a qualifying individual are eligible. The purpose of the credit is to allow the taxpayer to be gainfully employed. This credit is created by 26 U.S.C...
, a refundable New York City Child Care Tax Credit would be based on family income and would be returned as a refund if there were no other taxes to offset the amount, with a phase-out as income increased. With legislative changes, the proposal would provide cash to 48,000 families in New York City families and as many as 1.8 million nationwide.
Reports
Under the auspices of the Citizens' Committee on Children, Alfred J. KahnAlfred J. Kahn
Alfred Joseph Kahn was an American expert on social policy, particularly as it related to child welfare. He was critical of problems at the local and federal governmental level in providing services related to child development and family support, arguing that a comprehensive system of social...
of the Columbia University School of Social Work prepared a report issued in 1953 on the Children's Court in New York, based on a three-year study he performed with the cooperation of Presiding Justice John Warren Hill. An editorial in The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
about the report cited the work as an unprecedented look behind the scenes of Children's Court, which is normally closed to the public and the press. Kahn was able to examine records, interview staff and to observe cases as they were being decided. While complementary of some aspects of the court's operation, Kahn called the system "a dream still unrealized" that needed to focus more on rehabilitation than punishment.
Citizens' Committee for Children of New York released a 109-page report in 1957 titled For Children in Trouble written by Kahn that argued that the city's efforts for children "does not deal adequately with children in trouble". Kahn's recommendations included a new City Children's Bureau, or a strengthened existing one, that would oversee programs on a more systematic basis to address the issue that "inadequate measures are often taken because of community self-deception" that the institutions and resources available are capable of meeting a child's need. The report cited lengthy waiting lists and overcrowding at institutions intended to serve children and a 50-60% recidivism rate by age 21 for children released from State Training Schools.