Where the money goes: USA

In the U.S. many thousands of children and young people have an incredibly tough start in life, living in deprived areas where they may be out of school, neglected and at risk of abuse. In such areas, children and young people often miss out on the safety net provided by a good education and a stable family environment. The rebuilding of lives, the provision of health and literacy programs, after-school care and help in devastating family circumstances can make all the difference to setting a child on the right track in later life.

The money for the U.S. will be distributed by CPEF to a number of organizations, including:

The money will be distributed after the event, on submission of proposals from each of these organizations to tackle the issues above and associated problems.

Save the Children
Save the Children has worked in the United States since its very beginning in 1932, when a small group of concerned citizens organized a program to provide hot lunches for children living in Appalachia during the Great Depression. Today, Save the Children works with children in poor, rural communities in 12 states. By focusing on improved literacy for primary school children and early education programs, Save the Children helps children to break the cycle of poverty. The organization also provide programs in nutrition and physical activity to ensure that children have a healthy start in school and life. In the event of natural disasters, Save the Children is prepared to meet the unique needs of children. For more information, visit www.savethechildren.org/usa.


America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network
America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network is the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the country with a Network of more than 200 Member food banks and food-rescue organizations serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The America's Second Harvest Network secures and distributes more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually; and supports approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies operating more than 94,000 programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs and Kids Cafes. Each year, the America's Second Harvest Network provides food assistance to more than 25 million hungry people in the United States, including more than 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors. For more on the America's Second Harvest Network, please visit www.secondharvest.org.


Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) comprises a national network of some 4,000 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving more than 4.6 million young people, in all 50 states and on U.S. military bases worldwide. Known as "The Positive Place for Kids", the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize leadership development, education and career exploration, financial literacy, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and family outreach. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.


Children's Health Fund (CHF)
Founded 20 years ago by singer/songwriter Paul Simon and pediatrician/child advocate Dr. Irwin Redlener, The Children's Health Fund exists to serve the millions of children in America who are not getting the health care they need. As one of the largest health care organizartions for homeless and at-risk children in the United States, CHF delivers comprehensive medical (including dental and mental health) services through a national network of 21 projects, located in both rural and urban communities of 13 states and Washington DC.

Among these projects are three in the Gulf Coast, launched immediately after Hurricane Katrina. CHF is also a vocal advocate, raising awareness about the persistent problems that continue to overwhelm millions of disadvantaged children and families in America. For more information please visit www.childrenshealthfund.org.