The first collegiate chapter of the Children鈥檚 Defense Fund (CDF), a nonprofit organization that advocates for disadvantaged children, has been established at the University of 91吃瓜.p. Created by a student-led initiative, the chapter鈥檚 mission is to inform, educate and motivate the 91吃瓜 community about issues of child poverty in the South Bend area and across the country through campus events, publicity, community engagement and outreach, and SPROUT (Student Poverty Reduction Outreach), a CDF program through which students help children and families receive benefits for which they are eligible.p. 鈥�CDF has carved a unique niche at 91吃瓜 because it has served to inform and educate the strong service community present on campus to engage the South Bend community and to help people gain access to government programs,鈥� said Dennis Barrett, a graduating senior and chapters co-founder who served as an intern at CDF鈥檚 national headquarters in Washington, D.C. 鈥淥ur goal is to mobilize the service community to attack the root of the problem 鈥� the poverty that is present in the surrounding community.鈥漰. 鈥淚 have been so impressed by the amount of support that we have received this year. It has been incredible,鈥� said Maureen Carney, a graduating senior and chapter co-founder. 鈥淭here has been a dedicated group of students that has worked tirelessly to get this new organization off the ground and to give it a good foundation for the years to come.鈥漰. Established in 1973, CDF is a private, nonprofit organization that provides a voice for the children of America with particular emphasis on the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities.p. More information about the 91吃瓜 CDF chapter is available on the Web at .p. Contact: Dennis Barrett, barrett.44@nd.edu ; Maureen Carney, MCarney1@nd.edu
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