Philadelphia, PA (March 26th, 2015) – One week after the announcement of the Pledge for Philadelphia’s Children, four of the six Democratic candidates for Mayor of Philadelphia have signed, committing their future administration to championing the City’s children. Nelson Diaz, Jim Kenney, Doug Oliver and Anthony Hardy Williams have all signed the pledge, now endorsed by more than two-dozen local organizations.
“By signing the pledge, these four candidates demonstrate that they understand the hardships faced by too many of Philadelphia’s children and are committed to do what’s necessary to make the best possible Philadelphia for the City’s youngest citizens,” said PCCY Executive Director Donna Cooper on behalf of the endorsing organizations. “We urge every candidate to make a commitment to these distinct policy solutions by signing the pledge.”
The pledge includes a specific set of goals to better the lives of Philadelphia’s children. The policies the signers commit to include universal high-quality Pre-K access, a higher minimum wage, upgraded City healthcare and recreation facilities, the founding of an Office of Children’s Services Integration, expanded participation in childhood hunger prevention programs and a sufficiently funded School District.
The list of endorsing organizations continues to grow, now consisting of Public Citizens for Children and Youth, the Urban Affairs Coalition, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Health Access Network, the Maternity Care Coalition, the Children’s Literacy Initiative, Education Voters of Pennsylvania, Women’s Way, the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children, iHeartRadio, the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA, the Health Federation of Philadelphia, the National Nursing Centers Consortium, the Juvenile Law Center, the NAACP, Hands Across Philadelphia, the Education Law Center, the Support Center for Child Advocates, the Philadelphia Nurse-Family Partnership, the Mabel Morris Family Home Visit Program, the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children, Access Matters, Parent Power, Mighty Writers, and Ultimate Block Party.
To read the Pledge, visit: https://www.childrenfirstpa.org/resource/pledge-philadelphias-children-2015/