Summer Fellowship: Thank You, Children's Defense Fund!

Submitted by Carson Perez on August 6, 2008 - 10:51pm.

So, here I am. It is my last day at Children’s Defense Fund – California, and I am (needless to say) melancholy to leave. My time with CDF-CA has been truly fruitful and fulfilling, and I plan to share my positive experiences at CDF’s Oakland office, my week at Haley Farm (in Clinton, Tennessee), and the inspiration from Marian Wright Edelman’s Lanterns: A Memoir of Mentors with my friends back at Yale Divinity School, my Episcopal church homes (St. Paul’s in Woodside, New York, and St. Thomas’s, in New Haven, Connecticut), and my family in Salt Lake.

I want to thank everyone at CDF (Oakland, Los Angeles, and D.C.) who have inspired me in my fellowship, enlightened me with the intricacies of a child advocacy/non-profit organization, and strengthened my compassion for children/youth and commitment to children’s rights. Especially, I thank these amazing and devoted child advocates and friends: Nina Moreno (my dear supervisor and CDF-mentor), Cathy Maupin, Julene Cirne Lima, Deena Lahn, Cliff Sarkin, Jonah Rabinbach, Jenna Kline, and Tasha Zuzalek. Also, Mickey McKinney, Saudeka Shabazz, Evan Holland, Lindsey Wade, Jose Rodriguez, Derrick Harris, Jennifer Kim, and Elizabeth Delgado. And, last, but definitely not least, the incredible Matt Rosen and Scott Jacobsen, Antonia DeBoer, and the other D.C. and Proctor workers/volunteers, and salt-of-the-earth folks at Haley Farm and St. Francis Episcopal Church.

All of you are the unsung heroes, who bring the mission statement of Children’s Defense Fund to life: to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.

I am a better person because of my Beatitudes Society Summer Fellowship with Children’s Defense Fund. What an amazing summer!

Finally, I want to conclude with this beautiful version of the Beatitudes, based on Matthew 5:1-12. I found this in Mrs. Edelman’s latest book (coming out very soon), entitled The Sea is So Wide and My Boat is So Small. Be blessed and empowered to do God’s will everyday. Be blessed and encouraged to be the person whom God created you to be, and to help each other know and remember that they are all children of God.

A Child Advocate’s Beatitudes
(Inspired by Clarence Jordan’s Sermon on the Mount)

Blessed are the poor in spirit—
who do not measure themselves by money or worldly power but who ask God for what they need and are not mired in pride—for theirs is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are those who mourn—
who are concerned about the needs of children and the poor and others in need who cannot speak for themselves—for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek—
who do not seek only their own good but their neighbors’ too—for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness—
who do not work for the praise of others or earthly gain or fame and share gladly their talents, energy, and money—for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful—
who know they are sinners and are dependent on God’s and others’ forgiveness every minute of every day—for they will receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart—
who are not hypocrites but who struggle to live what they preach—for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers—
who do not prepare for war while talking about peace, who do not kill others in order to stop killing, who do not love just those who love them but reach out to make their enemies friends—for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who speak kindly and not meanly of others—
who do not tear down others but build them up for the kingdom’s work and children’s well-being—for they shall receive their reward.

Blessed are the just—
who do not adhere to the letter of the law and regulations for some but ignore them for others—for they will hear God’s well done.

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