According to the National Center for Child Poverty, about 15 million children in the United States – 21% of all children – live in families with incomes
below the federal poverty threshold, a measurement that has been shown to underestimate the needs of families.
Most of these children have parents who work, but low wages and unstable employment leave their families struggling to make ends meet.
Poverty can impede children’s ability to learn and contribute to social, emotional, and behavioral problems.
Poverty also can contribute to poor physical and mental health.
The needs of children are great and many face significant threats to their well-being.
The National Christ Child Society's focus is on making a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable among us.
“Nothing is ever too much to do for a child” guides our Fort Wayne Chapter members in their mission and growth.
Working to provide basic resources, enrich education and empower children and families is why we undertake this purpose.
Members serving in our programs come to help for many different reasons but all have the same sense of fulfillment at the end of a program workday.
This allows our service to continue to help the disadvantged children in our area.
The Crib Club is a baby store within the Women’s Care Centers in Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana. Expectant mothers participate in parenting classes and earn coupons to be used in the Crib Club to buy essentials for their baby. Each store is stocked with a variety of newborn through toddler size clothing, diapers, accessories and other items that a child would need in its first years. The Christ Child Society provides and organizes these items and staffs the Crib Club sites. We believe better communities are built when we partner with others to serve children and families in need.
CCSFW partners with area schools and social agencies to help identify children in need. During the month of October, new winter coats, hats and gloves are distributed to preschool through 8th grade students who meet the need-based criteria. Our members receive orders from the schools and agencies, fill the orders and pack them in boxes. The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) deliver coats to the specified school or agency. For participating schools and agencies, see the list of our Community Partners. Over 3,000 new coats were distributed last year through our program.
The signature program of all Christ Child Society Chapters is the Layettes Program. These essential items for newborns include bottles, diapers, clothing and toiletry items that are bundled together to make a layette. We work with community agencies and hospitals in the distribution of layettes to new mothers, often to mothers who have nothing to begin their parenting responsibilities. Children born into difficult circumstances need help; and our dedicated members are there for them.
The Literacy Committee reaches local preschoolers with our “Reading Rangers” Program. Our members read to preschoolers in three area schools. Age-appropriate books are selected, then read to the students during the school year. A craft project that follows the theme of the book completes the session. Each child takes home the new book monthly to share with their parents and siblings along with a letter encouraging family participation. CCS members see the Christ Child in every child, treating them with the attention and respect they deserve.
Through this program, children in crisis are provided a sturdy backpack filled with age-appropriate items such as toiletries, educational and school supplies, reading and activity books and a stuffed animal. The backpacks are provided to homeless children, foster care children and children who are victims of abuse. This backpack is often the only item these children can call "My Stuff".
The Sewing Committee contributes beautifully handcrafted items, many of which are embroidered with our Chapter name or logo, to our programs. These items add a personal and loving touch to the offerings of each program and partner agency. CCSFW provides donated machines on site, as well as sewing materials and notions to area homeless facilities. The Sewing Committee helps by providing their skills to improve disadvantaged children's lives.