Each spring, the Children's Week Florida welcomes school children to Tallahassee from around the state to tour the Capitol building and meet legislators. Also in attendance during the week are teachers, social workers, faith leaders, nonprofits, and businesses advocating for the health and safety of children. They come to learn from one another and to also meet with legislators to encourage them to vote for bills that will make a positive impact on the lives of children and families in our state. Their goal is to deliver the message to our state leaders that every child deserves to thrive.
The United Women in Faith and many United Methodist clergy were among those in attendance at Children's Week this year. Mary Negron, from Memorial, attended for the first time. She came representing the United Women in Faith as the President of the North East District of the Florida Conference.
"I was happy and proud to be a party of a group that went to speak with lawmakers to ensure that they try and understand that we need to care of all children." Mary said.
When asked why she felt called to be a part of the week, Mary told us, "We have to stand up for good. We can't wait four years (to vote in elections) if something is going to bring harm to children and families. You have to do something now. And this is a way to put my prayers into action."
Meeting with advocates from other groups and denominations was intriguing to Mary, but seeing some familiar faces made her most happy. "Anna Brooke Opalinski, who used to attend our church when her father was our pastor, is now a pastor herself in Tallahassee. She gave the prayer for us before we met with legislators and that was very special."
The rotunda at the Capitol building was decorated with nearly 40,000 images of children's hands made by school children and kids in care programs and groups throughout the state. Many of the hands had messages of peace, love, and care. "Seeing all the children's hand art was very moving. And then finding some provided by groups working with the United Women in Faith was even more special," Mary said.
Some of the bills that the advocates and the United Women in Faith were coming to speak to legislators about impacted Medicaid, KidCare access, and educational scholarships. They also spoke about supporting increased school funding and teacher's pay, expanding childcare access and full day VPK, and supporting community-based preventative care.
"As we met with legislators and their aides, we remind them that even some bills that they don't think may affect children, do affect them indirectly. Because if a bill affects a parent, it can hurt the whole family. And, unfortunately, it's the most vulnerable children and families in our state who are affected the most," Mary said.
Children's Week is a powerful time of prayer, connection, and advocacy for the United Women in Faith and Mary tells us that everyone can get involved in some way.
"Write or call your legislators and remind them about remembering our children and families when they vote. Our voices can make a difference as much as our votes. And as United Methodists, we are called to justice work. We are called to look out for the less fortunate, especially when there are systems in place that are harmful to them. We have to put our faith and our prayers into action."
