Children’s Advocates for Change

We will not rest until every Illinois child has every opportunity to flourish – regardless of race, ethnicity, or zip code.

Children’s Advocates for Change is an independent advocacy organization committed to the well-being of every Illinois child. We champion those policies and investments children need so that they are educated, healthy, and thriving.

Fact-Driven Child Advocacy

Using a racial equity lens, we analyze the data to identify the roadblocks that stand in the way of our children. Driven by the facts, we advocate for policies, legislation, and funding needed to remove the roadblocks so every child can step into the future they deserve.

Dynamic Foundational Values

  • Independent: We are not constrained by alliances with government agencies or dependent on public funding.
  • Bi-Partisan: Engage successfully, with equal clarity, appeal, and urgency across the political spectrum.
  • Stability: Honor history while infusing new thinking and enhancing our culture of proactive creativity
  • Visionary: A society in which children have their material, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs met as institutional imperatives, not periodic hand-outs.
  • Relentless: Pursue essential and creative solutions with diligence, persistence, and empathy until every child can embrace the hope of a bright future

Caring for the Entire Child

Children may not have a vote, but they can be heard. Young people are impacted in multiple and varied ways through the policies set by adults. Through our collective efforts, we provide a strong, amplified voice to advocate for legislation that secures the opportunities our children need to step into the future they deserve.

Legislation that Works For Children

Children’s Immediate needs must be addressed. The data demonstrates the needs – whether it’s safety, medical care, education, housing, or recreational activities – children thrive when their basic needs are met.

More About Us

Latest News

From Our Blog

Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 State Budget

Written by Mitch Lifson: Governor J.B. Pritzker presented his proposed Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) budget to the Illinois General Assembly with an emphasis on education and measures to address a state workforce shortage. The proposed budget…

Forum on Maternal Health Disparities

On December 9th at 12:00 p.m. Central Time, Children's Advocates for Change will host a Helen R. Weigle Policy Forum on racial and ethnic disparities in maternal mortality rates. In 2020, the maternal mortality rate nationally for non-Hispanic…

Meeting Youth Mental Health Needs

Written by Sarah Stolarski-Galla and Mitch Lifson: School is underway for K-12 students, variants of COVID-19 continue, and many students still face mental health challenges brought on by or increased due to the pandemic. Following the U.S.…

Statement from Dr. Tasha Green Cruzat on Student Loan Debt Relief

For many Illinois residents, President Joe Biden’s plan to cancel $10,000 of federal student loan debt for low- to middle-income borrowers and double that for Pell Grant recipients is a game changer. According to educationdata.org, 1.6 million…
More From Our Blog
From Twitter

From the President

"Our work is centered on the whole child, using a racial equity lens, which gets to the heart of the matter. Whether it is structural racism, discriminatory public policies, or lack of resources, our charge is to remove any barrier that keeps a child from reaching his or her highest potential."

– Dr. Tasha Green Cruzat

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OFFICE LOCATION

Children’s Advocates for Change
c/o Impact House
200 W. Madison Street, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60606

Email: info@childrensadvocates.org
Main: 312-361-0101

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ASSOCIATIONS

Children’s Advocates for Change is a proud member of the Economic Analysis and Research Network.

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Notice of Non-Affiliation:
Children’s Advocates for Change is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way connected with Voices for Illinois Children (“Voices”). Voices is an independent advocacy organization that is powered by YWCA Metropolitan Chicago.