Putting the needs of our children front and center the Ask First campaign is both a challenge and a dialogue, one that asks local businesses, faith-based organizations, community agencies, and private citizens to incorporate the campaign’s central message – “Is it Good for the Children?” – into their daily agenda, their company policies and practices, their place of worship, their schools, and, ultimately, their own lives.

Defending Childhood Initiative Memphis 

Defending Childhood is an initiative of Attorney General Eric Holder that strives to harness resources from across the Department of Justice to:

·        Prevent children’s exposure to violence;

·        Mitigate the negative impact of children’s exposure to violence when it does occur, and;

·        Develop knowledge and spread awareness about children’s exposure to violence.

 

National Observance of Children's Sabbath

Children's Defense Fund

Attention Multi Faith Communities! Do you want to know how you can participate in a Children’s Sabbath? In as many ways as you want, including a) a reminder in your worship service or prayers that each of us is called to nurture and protect our children; b) educational programs that examine the needs of children, what your faith’s writings say on the subject, and how to turn such teachings into action; c) activities that engage your congregation in child advocacy and help; d) follow-up actions that incorporate children’s agendas into the daily lives and activities of your faith based organization.

We want to highlight your Children’s Sabbath activities through our website and newsletter! To do this, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Annual Shelby County Family Day at Work

Through Family Day at Work, Shelby County demonstrates its value for employees and promotes family involvement by encouraging children of employees to observe first-hand the career path of their parents, relative or friend along with the process and structure of the government workforce. This annual event has given children of employees the opportunity to serve as judges and attorneys in actual County courtrooms, participate in public health activities at the Memphis/Shelby County Health Department, as well as spend time with the Shelby County Mayor. This exposure allows girls and boys to see what their parent, family member or mentor does during the work day but it also reminds them of the value of their education and unlocks endless possibilities for where their future may lead them.

 
The Ask First campaign (modeled on similar campaigns in metro areas such as Kansas City) takes aim at some of the most important issues our children face – education, healthcare, violence prevention, freedom from abuse and neglect – by targeting the decision-making we all make and how those decisions ultimately impact our children and youth.

Ask First Toolkit

View and download toolkit here.

Using the Search Institute’s recommended strategies for building youth assets, this toolkit is designed to provide anyone with free materials and simple, easy ideas to build awareness and promote positive actions through the use of this simple question…is it good for the children?

 

Ask First Columns

The Commercial Appeal and Tri-State Defender are partners with the Office of Early Childhood and Youth and The Urban Child Institute in publishing a monthly column authored by local, state, and national child experts interested in the state of child well- being here in Shelby County. This column is designed to focus public attention on issues that affect children. It is part of the Ask First campaign to remind everyone, in every aspect of daily life, to Ask First: “Is It Good for the Children?"

See listing of columns here.

 

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