Become a Child Advocate
The only requiremet to become a child advocate is being able to relate to or have an identification with LOVE. Wanting to help children live safe, healthy, happy and thriving lives originates from love. Out of the six different categories that make up the global child advocacy population in the twenty-first century, two have zero exclusions and open to every human regardless of past history.
Representing approximately one-third of the worlds child advocates is the paid full-time advocate followed by the part-time paid advocate at around one-quarter of the global child advocacy population. The part-time volunteer and the financial contributor/donor each represent roughly one-fifth wedges in the international child advocacy population pie-graph. In the minority at less than two percent is the full-time volunteer with the rarest of rare birds being the independent child advocate at less than one percent. Both the Independent child advocate and the financial contributor/donor advocate has no exclusions or disqualifications and open to everyone regardless of past histo
Give a helping hand to children in need.
Child Advocacy will enrich your life with Love.
The Rainbow Flower is the international symbol of Child Advocacy.
The need to know what a child advocate is requires a working definition to reference. A search of the definition online yields many explanations on what constitutes a child advocate. Today there exists no universally accepted definition of what specifically a child advocate is. The following definition of a child advocate is used to identify, quantify and categorize the worldwide child advocacy population effort and service to children.
Child Advocate Defined; Any person acting in a paid or volunteer capacity helping nonbiological or adoptive children or financially supporting organizations that help children under 18 years of age including providing in part or whole, the basic necessities to live healthy lives characterized by protecting children from abuse, neglect, exploitation and being victims of crime based on a best interests ideology of speaking and acting on behalf of children with the end goals being a safe permanent home free of violence and crime conducive for a child to thrive, learn, grow, feel love and be happy.
Love and Compassion is what the world needs more of.
Wanting to become a Child Advocate originates from Love.
Child Advocates exist worldwide
Let us take a closer look at the six categories of child advocacy that encompasses the worldwide child advocacy effort and service to children. Paid full-time child advocates make up a third or 33% of all child advocates globally. Another 25% are child advocates working part-time, or less than 32 hours a week. At around 58% , the full and part-time paid Child Advocates represent a clear majority.
Paid child advocacy positions require a bit of advanced planning with specific educational and background criteria in order to procure. Researching and investigating the many types of paid child advocacy opportunities that interest you is a fundamental first step along your path to become a paid child advocate. Paid career child advocacy positions often require a four year college or graduate degree (health and human services is a major child advocacy degree) to qualify for employment. In addition, some employers like to see experience or training in a related field and seek the usual hiring background checks, references and requirements of these types of jobs to get hired.
Candidates must be prepared for and do well in interviews for child advocate positions that may involve one or more interviewer. In cases where the child advocate position being applied for involves direct interaction or temporary custody of a child or children, general background criteria and training must be met in order to help safeguard the child from wrongdoing on the part of the advocate.
The part-time volunteer child advocate and the financial contributor/donor child advocate are roughly equal at 20% each or one-fifth wedges in the international child advocacy population pie-graph. Part-time volunteer child advocate positions often times require the same rigorous in depth "hiring" process as paid positions but no compensation is rendered for their time. Why would people do this you may ask? It has been explained by industry insiders that most of these volunteers are "purist" child advocates motivated to serve out of love and compassion and see themselves as child advocates 24/7 --- 365 days a year, instead of only 40 hours a week for a paycheck and benefits type of child advocate that may or may not consider volunteering their free-time to helping at-risk kids. The take away here is gratitude, love and appreciation for all child advocates and their service to children.
The remaining two categories are without a doubt the minority in the global child advocacy population. The full-time volunteer child advocate gives more than 32 hours a week to helping children live better lives through some sort of structured organization and represents less than two percent of all child advocates worldwide. They are the heroes among us that use their precious commodities of time, attention, commitment and love to help children live safe, healthy and better lives helping prepare kids for life as successful adults. These remarkable child advocates who give this amount of time each month at no charge makes them "Superstars" that deserve our "red carpet" treatment and sincere gratitude.
The final category of child advocacy is the Independent child advocate with a worldwide population numbering under one percent (<1%). Don't let the low percentage fool you, there are tens of millions of Independant child advocates serving across the globe today.....is it your destiny to become one? They are the rarest of rare birds and deserve a starting position on the "Child Advocate All-Star Team". They hit home runs for kids like Babe Ruth knocked balls out of the park .......they fight for children like Tyson in his prime ....they score the winning points for kids like Jordan sinking three-pointers to win the game.
The Independent Child Advocate has no exclusions or disqualifications and described as child advocacy free from outside control, not depending on another’s authority, acting in a process of empowerment, serving children without the aide of a third party and not depending on something or someone else for strength or direction.
Inquisitive folks ask, "what specifically makes an independent child advocate so special ?" and "what exactly in laymen's terms is an independent child advocate ?"
Most people apply to be either a paid or volunteer child advocate to an organization such as a nonprofit, for profit, local, county or state government agency or department. They apply to become a part of something that already exists and depending on their past experience, training and education, takes a position within that organization up to and including the top spot.
An independent child advocate is the originator and founder of the advocacy for children they serve and no application process takes place. There is no outside organization or person giving the independent child instruction, approval, finances or oversight. Independent child advocates act on their own initiative from their own free time, resources, inspiration and vision for improving children's lives bringing to the Child Advocacy arena new ideas, products, services and programs that change children's lives for the better in big ways.
Independent child advocates help children using their ideas and visions for improving children’s lives and advocate for children with themselves making everything happen. These modern day heroes for children are the "person in charge" and may or may not employ helpers under their authority and instruction to advocate for children in their unique independent way.
Established trust with the community is precious and can not be insured against loss. The only insurance is being careful, selective and doing a due-diligence background check on candidates wanting to serve as child advocates. Typical background screening often includes a law enforcement data system check, checking and following up with references and even reference interviews as they reveal information relevant to understanding if your “ready to roll ” as an appropriate fit within their organization. Even with these protocols in place, they still take a chance with a “bad apple” getting through and “salting their well” with a scandal.
Possessing good communication skills, patience and the ability to interact with people of various ethnic, educational and socio-economic backgrounds are highly desirous and sought after skill-sets from those offering paid and volunteer child advocate opportunities anywhere on Earth.
Become a child advocate and enjoy a personally rewarding experience that historically has few regrets. In becoming a child advocate, you have the choice of working in an area of personal interest that allows you to express and exhibit your expertise and pursue your passions. A mentor in an organization such as “Big Brothers Big Sisters of America” can use her or his love of a sport like fishing, baseball or horseback riding to bring adventure, excitement and happy childhood memories to a young persons life. The Child Advocacy Hall of Fame does not specifically endorse any single child benefiting organization or agency even if mentioned by name, we endorse only the child advocacy lifestyle. We strongly encourage the careful and meticulous choosing and investigation of organization’s, agencies and non-profits that offer child advocate service opportunities before becoming involved.
We wish you the best of luck in your search and thank you sincerely for your willingness to help children and become a child advocate. We hope someday to induct your name into the Child Advocacy Hall of Fame as a world-class child advocate. Helping children become better by being a child advocate offers life-changing experiences and a sense of purpose that absolutely adds meaningful accomplishment to our journey called life. Please, . . . do not ever underestimate . . . the amazing power of love and compassion.
Become a Child Advocate
Choose A Child Advocacy Path
Educational Paths to Child Advocacy Careers
Compose your Child Advocacy Goals
Choose from six categories; paid full and part time career Child Advocate, financial supporter/donor, independant advocate and the part and full time volunteer.
Compose your Child Advocacy Goals
Educational Paths to Child Advocacy Careers
Compose your Child Advocacy Goals
Begin your epic journey right now making a difference in a child's life. Write down your six month, five year and ten year Child Advocacy goals , post conspicuously.
Educational Paths to Child Advocacy Careers
Educational Paths to Child Advocacy Careers
Educational Paths to Child Advocacy Careers
Research applicable associate, bachelors or graduate degrees in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, or numerous law related degrees.
Volunteer as a Child Advocate
Financial Donor / Contributor Child Advocacy
Educational Paths to Child Advocacy Careers
Volunteering as a Child Advocate gives you experience, training and a foot in the door. Volunteering gives you something to list on your resume and discuss in your interview for a career position.
Financial Donor / Contributor Child Advocacy
Financial Donor / Contributor Child Advocacy
Financial Donor / Contributor Child Advocacy
Research and Investigate charities, non-profits and organizations that help children in a way that interests you and support them through financial donations. Even $10.00 a month makes a difference
Independent Child Advocate
Financial Donor / Contributor Child Advocacy
Financial Donor / Contributor Child Advocacy
Bossed around by no one, the Independent Child Advocate writes their own ticket, lays down new track and blazes fresh trails into the wonderful Child Advocacy wilderness.