Jack and Jill of America Holds its 3rd On the Hill Summit to advocate for a Strong Start for America's Children and the Police Reporting of Information, Data and Evidence (PRIDE) Act

News provided by

Sep 13, 2015, 08:35 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Jack and Jill of America, Inc., a 77-year-old organization of mothers advocating for the betterment for conditions affecting all children, will hold its 5^th bi-annual On the Hill Summit, September 12-15. More than 500 teens and moms will convene for workshops, discussions and meeting with political representatives to increase awareness of the legislative process and ways to influence policy to achieve its mission to seek for all children the same advantages its members want for their own children.

"Jack and Jill believes we have the power to make a difference," said National President Tammy King. "For more than 75 years, our organization has focused on contributing to society by developing youth leaders with an emphasis on education, cultural pride and civic engagement.

"We have long believed in the importance of early childhood education which is championed no better than by our first and only honorary member Marian Wright Edelman, president of the Children's Defense Fund," King added. "The Strong Start for America's Children legislation is an important way to ensure all children in this country have access to quality early education to put them on a path toward success in education and life."

Jack and Jill also supports early childhood literacy through its programming for children of the organization's more than 10,000 members, including a newly introduced bedtime stories program which uses technology to share stories written by African-American authors through monthly webinars for children across the nation. The organization through its philanthropic arm, the Jack and Jill of America Foundation, is also introducing a new grant for chapters to fund literacy corners in Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools® programs in communities throughout the country to benefit others.

"We are thrilled Jack and Jill of America is offering this support for the Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools® children," Marian Wright Edelman said. "Many of the children, if not in CDF Freedom Schools® programs, wouldn't have access to books. Our reading curriculum has long been centered on excellent books reflecting a wide variety of cultures, races, and experiences. For some children it is the first time they have seen books with characters who look like them and share some of the struggles in their lives. Our goal is to help children fall in love with reading, and they respond. I truly believe children cannot be what they cannot see."

With chapters in most metropolitan areas across the country, including those communities that have experienced high rates of gun violence by or against law enforcement officers, Jack and Jill joins the voices of those advocating for policies and practices that would better protect the public and law enforcement officers.

The PRIDE Act introduced by Jack and Jill alumni U.S. Sen. Corey Booker and U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer is designed to "bring transparency and accountability to law enforcement agencies nationwide by requiring states to report to the Justice Department on any incident in which a law enforcement officer is involved in a shooting, and any other instance where use of force by or against a law enforcement officer or civilian results in serious bodily injury or death. This information would help federal, state and local officials to better protect the public and law enforcement officers," according to the legislation's sponsors.

"As mothers we are concerned about all the violence that is affecting citizens of this country, particularly our youth," King added. "We encourage legislators to take seriously policies that would provide more transparency and accountability to provide safer communities for all."

The summit will also commemorate the Voting Rights Act, the 50th Anniversary of the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama and the important work of the Congressional Black Caucus. The organization will also reflect on the life of Jack and Jill member Carole Robertson, who 52 years ago was one of four little girls tragically killed in the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Every September, all 235 Jack and Jill chapters celebrate Carole Robertson Day to ensure youth never forget the sacrifices made by those who fought for equal rights for Black people.

ABOUT JACK AND JILL OF AMERICA, INCORPORATED:
Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is an organization founded in 1938 with the mission of stimulating the growth and development of children through educational, cultural, civic, recreational, health and social programs inspired by mothers. Through its more than 230 chapters organized in seven regions across the United States, the organization consists of more than 30,000 family members which includes, mother members, fathers and children ages two through 19. Jack and Jill Chapters also support non-profit organizations through its philanthropic arm, the Jack and Jill of America Foundation, among the first foundations established by African-American families in the United States. Since its founding in 1968, the Foundation has granted millions of dollars to worthy causes supporting children and families.

To learn more about Jack and Jill of America, Inc., please visit www.jackandjillinc.org.

SOURCE Jack and Jill of America, Inc.