WHY THIS CONVERSATION MATTERS

In the words of Nelson Mandela, “Our children are our greatest treasure. They are our future.” And it’s true, the world we create depends on the children we raise. But it’s not just a child’s parents who make a difference. Each of us has a role in creating an environment where children can thrive, and where families have the things they need to nurture the next generation — like access to economic opportunity, quality education, health care and child care. This conversation explores how we can all contribute to preventing child abuse and neglect, while helping to secure a promising future for Georgia.

WHY THIS CONVERSATION MATTERS

Frederick Douglass once said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” These words reflect how essential the early years are for raising healthy, thriving children into stable, successful adults. The period between birth and age five is not only critical for brain development, but it’s also a tender time when young families need access to quality child care. This isn’t just a concern for families and caregivers — when children thrive, the whole community benefits. This conversation explores how we can set our children up for success and brighten Georgia’s future by supporting child care and early learning.

WHY THIS CONVERSATION MATTERS

How do we deal with the kinds of challenges that hurt us far more than they help us? Many children will face more than their fair share of adverse childhood experiences. The effects can be lifelong. Early adversity is linked to chronic health issues, mental illness and substance abuse in adulthood.1 But the hopeful news is that the impact of childhood adversity can be greatly reduced. We have seen that through positive connections, children can build resilience and increase their ability to live happy, successful lives. This is a conversation about how we can all help children thrive and bring about a brighter future for Georgia.

WHY THIS CONVERSATION MATTERS

To truly support children, we have to consider the health and wellbeing of the whole family. Physical health is key to quality of life, yet it can greatly depend on access to quality health care and nutritious food — essentials that are not equally available to all families. Mental health is just as critical for families to thrive. Families experiencing mental health challenges can lead to difficulty for their children, from low self esteem and instability, to trouble with future employment, relationships and parenting their own children.1 This conversation explores how we as a community can nurture child well-being by strengthening family health and wellness.

WHY THIS CONVERSATION MATTERS

We have been taught that if you work hard, you’ll be successful. And if you raise your children well, they’ll be even better off than you. But what if you already work a full-time job and still make less than a living wage? What if simply keeping a roof over your head takes up the lion’s share of your pay, leaving you to scramble for life’s other necessities? These are some of the real challenges families face. And they can have serious effects, with studies showing that children in low-income families are at greater risk of abuse and neglect. This conversation explores how we can all contribute to childhood well-being, and to a promising future, by supporting economic opportunities in Georgia.

WHY THIS CONVERSATION MATTERS

We all know the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But how do we apply this wisdom to our children right here in Georgia? To truly support child well-being, we must look beyond the family unit, to address the societal factors that set families up for success. And we need to do it together — with the help of our friends, neighbors, coworkers, business leaders, and the faith community. Together, we are all invested in a promising future for Georgia. This is a conversation on how we can come together as a village to help children thrive and build a better future for us all.