With special guests

Melva Florance Richard Wexler

The LaStraw Inc.,
Greensboro NC
Former foster child, anti-poverty
advocate addressing issues
perpetuating poverty in low income
areas of Greensboro, NC.
National Coalition for Child Protection
Reform, Washington DC
An award winning journalist and author, Mr
Wexler has testified in Philadelphia and
Congress on reforms that keep families
together and reduce child abuse deaths.

Screening of the “heartbreaking but inspirational” new film

DHS - Give Us Back Our Children
part of a Community Dialogue on Child Welfare, Poverty & Welfare Cuts -
Does Caregiving Count?
Friday, December 3, 5:30-8:30pm
Tabernacle United Church, 3700 Chestnut St. 19104 (West Phila)
• Child welfare from the point of view of children as well as of mothers, grandmothers & other relative caregivers &
supporters. Our poverty is not child neglect, & we refuse to be punished for it. Of every 1000 of the poorest children in
Phila County, the Dept of Human Services snatches 28 children from families – the highest rate in the US – and children of
color are more likely to be its victims.
• Cuts in welfare, lack of housing, and domestic abuse resulting in the detention of children by DHS and criminalization of
mothers. Older people are forced out of their homes into institutions and into debt.
• The Luzerne County case exposed how “justice” for children and young people is about money. Phila has the highest
incarceration rate in the US, with 1 in 9 Black adults under 35 behind bars. PA has the highest number of minors serving
life sentences without parole – A State crime against children. Mothers in prison are at risk of losing custody of their
children.
• Valuing the caregiver and those they care for - children, elders, people with mental health and other disabilities, veterans.
And those who are cared for also do caregiving.
• Raising children is a job: mothers count, count mothers’ work! The caregiving work of a mother has been valued at
$100,000/year (Alternet.com, 2007).
• Living wages/income, quality healthcare, housing, education and healthy food for all caregivers and our families. Money for
mothers, not banks, war and occupation.
• Policymakers and advocates invited to hear from YOU!
Come & speak out! Spanish translation, childcare, refreshments. Wheelchair accessible.
Suggested Donation: $5 more if you can, less if you can’t
Documentary film showing: DHS - Give Us Back Our Children:
mothers & others come together to reclaim children from the child welfare industry
18 min. To order www.everymothernetwork.net

For more info on the Community Dialogue or the film contact: Every Mother is a Working Mother Network
215-848-1120; philly@allwomencount.net; www.everymothernetwork.net
Co-sponsors: DHS Give Us Back Our Children, Global Women's Strike www.globalwomenstrike.net,
Payday men’s network www.refusingtokill.net