Statement of Purpose
Preamble
We believe that every child has the right to a safe, stable home in which to
grow; adequate shelter, food and medical care; and adequate opportunities for social,
emotional, and intellectual growth. It should be our societyís highest priority to
ensure that these basic needs of children are met.
Many times, however, when the public agenda is planned, childrenís needs fall to
the bottom of the list. Our experience has taught us that while the plight of an
individual child may draw
tremendous public sympathy, the needs of children as a group are seldom met.
Children do not vote; they cannot protest when their needs are overlooked. In a society
where he who is able to speak loudest gets a share of the pie, few speak up for children.
Mission Statement
It is the mission of Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth to serve as the voice
for children in San Francisco. Our goal is to make San Francisco a city where ample
resources are available to children and their families, where childrenís needs come
first, and where families thrive.
Guiding Principles
Using the tools of advocacy, Coleman will work on a broad range of childrenís issues,
including child welfare, health, juvenile justice, childcare, education and recreation.
We will choose issues where:
- a significant number of the cityís children will be affected (particularly those most in need).
- local solutions to problems are possible and can be accomplished within a reasonable time frame, and
- our efforts are needed most and will not duplicate the work of others.
Colemanís primary focus on every issue will be to change city policies and programs
to more effectively respond to the needs of children. Our tasks will include:
- mobilizing a strong constituency of San Franciscans to speak out about the needs of children
- collecting and disseminating information on the state of children in San Francisco,
- focusing public attention on areas of needed change, through use of the media, public forums, and the publication of newsletters,
- developing creative, cost-effective proposals for improving services to children and their families,
- fostering interagency collaboration and coordination of services, and
- working to increase availability of local resources to children.
As an organization, Coleman will remain independent from the systems it is working
to change. We will seek funding only from private sources. The composition of the
Coleman Board will reflect the diverse communities
of San Francisco.