The Evolution of the Count the Children Movement

Linda Clark founded the Count the Children Movement in Red Bank, NJ (2001).  The Count the Children Movement is a productive grassroots effort of various community members coming together in an organized manner to accomplish tasks that will positively transform our community and its future.  The name defines the purpose, motivation, commitment, ideology and highest value in which the organization operates.  We believe our children are the future and deserve to be able to live their childhood as a child who will seize great opportunities.  By putting our children and their needs first, we develop a win-win situation in which great success and dramatic change is possible. 

The Mission of The Count the Children Movement

The Count the Children Movement is dedicated to meet the needs of at-risk youth and their families while promoting culture awareness and healthy social interactions.  We are committed to providing educational, social, cultural and recreational activities by parents, caregivers, community leaders and organizations passionate about taking a responsible role in improving the livelihood of our youth in a respectful, safe, nurturing and honest manner.  Our focus centers on present issues that rapidly interfere with the progressive potential of our children and their future opportunities.  We are willing to assist children in need of making positive decisions while identifying hidden talents.

The Count the Children Movement Responds to Present Day Issues that Affect the Youth

The Count the Children Movement was established in 2001 due to the lack of awareness many people have of the conditions and issues children are presently faced with in hopes of reconnecting our responsibility and understanding of the "difficulty" in growing up.  Some of the problems include:  the lack of parental support within the school system, the need for a restructured school system that focuses on all children and community members, the high dropout rate of students, the rate of crime and gang-related activities amongst low-income level youth, the rapid increase in death rates amongst youth related to drug and gang activities, as well as the need for effective after-school and enrichment programs.