"Together for Children"   is a work of many hearts.

For sometime Cheryl Kelly, a family childcare provider, had been concerned with the well being and future of children. She had some ideas in mind, and shared them during a National Conference for child providers. Her main idea was to create a Public Awareness Campaign that would involve the community and make a difference in a child's life. Taking the already established blue ribbon campaign for Child Abuse Prevention as first step, she added red for all health issues and yellow for the nurturing and to enhance the already established Week of Young Child. A week was assigned for each topic and for the last week in April the concept of smiling faces was incorporated; as a combination of these factors are needed to put a smile on a child's face.
The"Together for Children" campaign was presented in July 1997 during a regular monthly meeting of "Association for the Benefit of Children" (ABC). ABC is a unified group of child care professionals dedicated to the total support of all providers and care givers in El Paso.  The campaign was accepted immediately by ABC and with great enthusiasm, committees were formed, Mission Statement written and plans to include as many providers were set. The "Together For Children" Public Awareness Campaign was adopted, is chaired and sponsored by the Association for the Benefit of Children (ABC), which is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and receives no federal or state funding.  The "Together for Children" campaign relies entirely on foundation grants, public and corporate donations, and the generosity of individuals who believe in the work we do.

Many various  Child Advocate agencies, organizations, coalitions and associations  participate in this collaborated Public Awareness Campaign.

On March 24, 1998, Mr. Carlos Ramirez, El Paso's City Mayor proclaimed April - "Month of the Child" for the first time. Every year family childcare providers, children and parents, go to  City Council to receive the proclamation. This is the event that "Together for Children" has used to kick off the campaign.

 "ABC" is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, and receives no federal or state funding.  The "Together for Children" campaign relies entirely on foundation grants, public and corporate donations, and the generosity of individuals who believe in the work we do.